Nba results, Phoenix Suns-Utah Jazz 114-118, Mitchell 26 points

How hard life is without Chris Paul. Phoenix knew he would suffer with his leader stationary from a broken thumb. What he discovers at home against Utah, in a splendid head-to-head that the Jazz take 118-114. In addition to being the best assistman of the season, CP3 is the general on the field of the Suns, the one his teammates look to for help in difficult moments like the sprint with Utah. Devin Booker, the best of the Suns with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, did not disappoint; the rest of Phoenix yes. And so came the second consecutive defeat, something that hadn’t happened to the best NBA team since the end of December. The Jazz took the opportunity to take the eighth victory in their last 9 games and show all their talent and depth in front of the team with the best NBA record.

the keys

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Utah (won 38 – lost 22 to date) has won with the talent of its stars. Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points, placing heavy baskets throughout the second half. Rudy Gobert, 16 points, 14 rebounds raised a wall that Phoenix crashed into multiple times. The two stars, however, would not have been enough on their own to win: coach Snyder showed how deep his bench is, with Jordan Clarkson starring with 10 of his 22 points in the fourth period, Hassan Whiteside (8 points and 8 rebounds) a splendid alternative to Gobert in iron protection. Phoenix (49-12) without CP3 is not the same no matter how hard Booker tries to fill the gap. We need a team effort that isn’t there yet, even though Cam Johnson, still a starter, made a name for himself with 23 points and 5 assists. DeAndre Ayton finished with 23 points, but fell to the distance, losing the duel with Gobert. Above all, the Suns missed the bench: the confrontation between reserves is merciless, with the Jazz who won him 43-11 going well beyond Clarkson. The defeat to Utah is a lesson that Phoenix must learn quickly: Paul’s absence obviously takes away security, but the Suns must understand how to be special even without him, since he will only enter the playoffs.

the match

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Phoenix tries the initial breakaway (13-3) but the first half is balanced, with the Suns closing him ahead 60-56 thanks to a 13-4 run in the last 200 seconds. The Suns start better and after 4 ‘they are ahead 75-66, but dragged by 12 points in the period of Mitchell Utah ends the fourth with a 16-3 run and begins the final 12’ ahead 94-89. Phoenix tries to return, but Clarkson keeps her at a distance with a spectacular 10-point final period. Mitchell tries to put an end to the game, with the 116-106 triple with 1’51 ”to play, but the Suns still want to fight. Crowder with 30 ”from the end puts the triple of 117-114, but then throws away a ball and wastes the last possession.
Phoenix: Booker 30 (8/16 of two, 4/8 of three, 2/4 free throws), Johnson 23, Ayton 23. Rebounds: Ayton 7, McGee 7, Booker 7. Assists: Booker 7.
Utah: Mitchell 26 (2/9, 6/11, 4/5 tl), Clarkson 22, Gobert 16. Rebounds: Gobert 14. Assist: Mitchell 5.