Suns vs. Jazz Final Score: Phoenix sweeps Utah in weekend series, winning 140-137 in double OT

The multi-faceted advantage that is Kevin Durant reigns supreme as the Phoenix Suns are, again, able to narrowly squeeze out a road win against a well-coached Utah team. Durant scored 39 points efficiently, doing so on 14-of-27 shooting to help lift the Suns to a 140-137 victory in double overtime on Sunday night.

Lauri Markkanen had an impressive game scoring 38 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, and he was helped by 22 from Jordan Clarkson and 25 off the bench from Talen Horton-Tucker. But every starting Sun scored in double figures, including 26 points and 8 assists by Devin Booker.

Phoenix had a hard time on the boards, being outrebounded by the Utah Jazz 59-44, and 27-11 on the offensive glass. Despite Utah having 13 more shot attempts than Phoenix, the Suns outlasted them for the win. The Suns shot 49% from the field to Utah’s 41.7%.

Here is how it went down.

Game Flow

First Half

The Suns got out to an early lead, behind some active defense and a solid pace in changing ends. We would see some of the advantages that the weekend series-style scheduling from the NBA provides, in adjustments between opponents that is similar to the playoffs.

Durant — who saw heavy gap support and an intent to funnel him into that, from the Jazz — would have an adjustment period in certain offensive contexts, but would still produce to his elite standard with efficiency. He’d end the first half with 16 points on 6-for-10 from two, +8 with 4 assists.

Defensively, the Suns would force the Jazz into eight turnovers — tying what they were able to force them into for the entirety of Friday’s game. Booker had some struggles finding the range in the first half, finishing with just four points on six shots.

Nassir Little (7 points on 3-5 shooting, +5) provided a valuable punch from the reserve unit that was timely, in place of Watanabe who was out.

Second Half

Utah would up their aggression, on both ends of the floor, and ramp up the pace of play for multiple stretches.

They’d win both the third quarter (+4) and fourth (+1) to send this one to overtime.

Jordan Clarkson, who had major scoring struggles in the first, got going and then some in the second half, in addition to all that Lauri Markkanen presents as a scorer on movement.] Josh Okogie would find another pocket for his ancillary efforts to make an impact on the game, as well.

For Phoenix, Devin Booker would see his scoring impact resurface. Coupling with Durant and his scoring + playmaking enabled the Suns enough to ward off a complete takeover from the Jazz, in their comeback efforts.

Overtime

The Suns would elect to go small for the entirety of the first overtime session, which was a chess-like call from Frank Vogel and his brain trust.

The compilation of shots — two second-side Gordon threes, and a Gordon layup — all stemmed from Durant and the advantage he presents with his touches in the mid-post.

Amists that run, the small unit would also compile consecutive stops, to create a five-point vision.

Durant would knock down yet another big-time three, in a similar fashion to the shot he hit near the end of Friday’s win, and the Jazz broadcast had a fun short segment speaking on his greatness:

That would be broken, however, as the Jazz would find their way back into it, and benefit from an untimely Eric Gordon free throw miss, on the first of two while the Suns were up one.

That would be followed by a Sexton offensive rebound and put back as time expired, to knot things up at 127 headed just before the buzzer.

Double Overtime

In the second of overtimes, the Suns would find a three-point cushion behind some very timely Durant buckets, and seize the cushion into the final possession.

Additionally, the Suns would go back to a signature play of theirs after a late timeout, in Spain pick-and-roll, and generate more high shot quality off the gravity of Devin Booker — leading to a Grayson Allen three.

After a foul was called on great defense from Durant on the ensuing defensive possession, that would’ve sent Lauri Markkanen to the free throw line with a chance to tie the game yet again, the Suns would challenge the call.

It’d ultimately see the foul call on Durant’s contest overturned, and the Suns would come away with a narrow 140-137 win.

Up Next

The Suns return home Tuesday to play an In-Season Tournament game against Deandre Ayton and the Portland Trail Blazers, who currently sit at 3-10. We’ll see you then!