Suns @ Jazz game thread 3-15-18

[Mainstreet]

On Thursday the Suns play at the Jazz.

Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. Arizona time.

Here is the Scott Bordow game update.

Suns at Jazz

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM

Update: The Suns have lost six straight and 21 of their past 23 games. Utah is going in the opposite direction, winners of seven straight. The balanced Jazz have five players averaging in double figures, led by rookie guard Donovan Mitchell (19.7 points per game). Utah is 2-1 against Phoenix this season, including a 32-point drubbing of the Suns on Feb. 2. Interim coach Jay Triano likely won’t stay with the small lineup he started against Cleveland – Utah big man Rudy Gobert is averaging a double-double (13.7 points, 10.6 rebounds), so expect Tyson Chandler to return to the starting lineup.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...-triano-troy-daniels-nba-utah-jazz/426612002/

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is an injury report from the same article.

Booker jammed his hand during a live scrimmage at Wednesday’s practice but the Suns said he would not be listed on the injury report, meaning it’s likely he’ll play against the Jazz on Thursday. … Center Alan Williams did not make the trip to Utah, but, barring any setbacks, his season debut after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery should be Saturday at home against Golden State.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...-triano-troy-daniels-nba-utah-jazz/426612002/

 

[sunsfan88]

It’s a shame Brandon Knight got injured before the season. He would’ve gotten so many opportunities and minutes to play and do whatever he wants & maybe improve his trade value.

 

[Mainstreet]

Williams assigned to NAZ Suns

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Alan Williams has been assigned to NAZ Suns

9:46 AM - 15 Mar 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

It’s a shame Brandon Knight got injured before the season. He would’ve gotten so many opportunities and minutes to play and do whatever he wants & maybe improve his trade value.

The injury happened back in July. I wonder if there is the slightest chance he could return for a couple of games in April... probably not.

 

[Mainstreet]

After looking it up, it looks like Knight had surgery during the latter part of August so it is unlikely he will return this season.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...rd-brandon-knight-has-knee-surgery/104958960/

 

[Mainstreet]

Regarding Devin Booker... he is questionable tonight.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Booker officially questionable with right hand contusion but again I’ll be surprised if he plays tonight

10:12 AM - 15 Mar 2018

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Devin Booker’s jammed right hand is sore to the point he was shooting left handed in shoot around. He said he’ll try to play tonight but that may be wishful thinking

10:05 AM - 15 Mar 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like Tyson Chandler will play tonight.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Triano said he'll likely go back with more traditional lineup against Jazz and Gobert, with Chandler at center, Bender at the 4.

11:44 AM - 15 Mar 2018

 

[Hoop Head]

Glad that Williams is going to return soon. I'd hate to see him cut this offseason if he wasn't able to play at all this season.

Booker should sit, the Jazz are red hot and playing or not it should be a loss for the Suns. I hope the Suns can hire a coach like Quin Snyder this summer because he's the main reason Utah has been able to overachieve the last couple of seasons. No one expected them to be a playoff team after losing Hayward and here they are. They've gone 16-2 since February 1st and have won 19 of their last 21 games.

 

[Mainstreet]

Glad that Williams is going to return soon. I'd hate to see him cut this offseason if he wasn't able to play at all this season.

Booker should sit, the Jazz are red hot and playing or not it should be a loss for the Suns. I hope the Suns can hire a coach like Quin Snyder this summer because he's the main reason Utah has been able to overachieve the last couple of seasons. No one expected them to be a playoff team after losing Hayward and here they are. They've gone 16-2 since February 1st and have won 19 of their last 21 games.

The Jazz have a great organization. They had Sloan and now Synder. They draft well.

Not many teams could lose a player like Gordon Hayward and keep on clicking.

 

[Hoop Head]

It looks like Dante Exum will be returning for the Jazz in tonight's game. He's missed a ton of time due to numerous injuries since he's been drafted but they just recalled him from their G-League affiliate so he can his season debut against the Suns. He only played in 66 games last season and missed the entire 2015/16 season due to a torn ACL. He's played in just 148 of a possible 314 games for the Jazz through 4 seasons. It hasn't been just one issue either, it's been a few different injuries that have kept him from doing much for them so far. He'll be a restricted free agent this summer but with his injury history, I can't see anyone offering him much. I remember him being hyped as one of the best Australian players to ever make it to the NBA but he hasn't shown much because of the injuries he's suffered.


https://sports.yahoo.com/can-return-dante-exum-give-jazz-boost-west-playoff-race-184253632.html

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like Booker will try to play tonight.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Suns starters: Len, Bender, Warren, Booker, Payton

5:20 PM - 15 Mar 2018

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Booker just told me he’s going to try to play. Question will be, what happen when that hand gets hit

5:06 PM - 15 Mar 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

Alan Williams will play with the NAZ Suns tomorrow. If all goes well, I suspect he will be back soon.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hmm.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Booker is listed as starter, but Suns have been on the floor warming up for about 3 minutes now and he's not out there.

5:50 PM - 15 Mar 2018

Rest Booker if there is any doubt.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yeah, please rest Booker. There is no need for him to play. There is literally nothing to gain by playing Booker.

 

[Superbone]

Booker is a gamer! It is up to the organization to sit him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Booker had his fingers taped and will play.

He missed his first shot but made the next.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jackson is such a dynamo on the court. He sure looks like the player the Suns thought they were drafting.

He has 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist thus far. Also no fear driving to the hoop.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 1st quarter:

Suns 23 - Jazz 20

 

[Finito]

Sloppy passing ugh

 

[SweetD]

Why do they have Bender at the 4 and Chriss at Center. Makes no sense at all.

 

[Mainstreet]

Why do they have Bender at the 4 and Chriss at Center. Makes no sense at all.

I was wondering about this only to see Len check back into the game.

At least Chriss is active tonight while Bender is invisible. He has 3 PFs.

Dudley playing PF.

 

[Mainstreet]

In New York the 76ers beat the Knicks.

The Knicks had the lead for much of the game. Ugh.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jackson with a corner 3 but Jazz pulling away.

 

[Mainstreet]

Halftime:

Jazz 56 - Suns 43

Jackson with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Warren with 11 points and Booker 7.