Jazz at Suns
The Utah Jazz are starting to put it together, although the road hasn't been kind to them this season. The Jazz will look to extend their season-best winning streak to five games on Friday when they visit the Phoenix Suns. Mo Williams drilled a 3-pointer as time expired to lift Utah to a 99-96 home triumph over San Antonio on Wednesday.
Phoenix also squeaked out a victory in its last outing with an 82-80 victory over Memphis on Wednesday. Goran Dragic provided the last-second magic as his left-handed hook shot from the baseline allowed the Suns to snap a seven-game losing skid. The victory was Phoenix's first since Nov. 27.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, RTRM+ (Utah), FSAZ (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (13-10): Unfortunately for Utah, it can't play all of its games in the Beehive State. The Jazz are just 4-9 on the road this season - and have dropped their last three meetings when they cross the border into Arizona. The teams met in Utah on Nov. 10, and true to form the Jazz cruised to a 94-81 victory despite having Williams on the bench with a strained right adductor.
ABOUT THE SUNS (8-15): After coming off the bench in his previous 11 games, Luis Scola returned to the starting lineup versus Memphis. Scola, who mustered just four points on 1-for-6 shooting, had 21 points in nearly 35 minutes against Utah on Nov. 10. Coach Alvin Gentry has been shuffling the starting lineup in each of the last four games. The coach said that the moves could continue based on matchups.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Jazz F Paul Millsap had 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting and reeled in 13 rebounds versus the Suns in the previous meeting.
2. Phoenix's Markieff Morris has gotten acclimated to a starting role. He is shooting 49 percent from the field as a starter as opposed to 35 percent as a reserve.
3. Utah F Derrick Favors returned after a five-game absence with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.