Utah @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2019 ) Utah 118, Phoenix 97

The Phoenix Suns are showing some fight in the early going as they try to turn the franchise around following nine straight playoff-less seasons. The Suns will try to knock off another Western Conference contender when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Phoenix blasted Sacramento 124-95 in its season opener and nearly knocked off Denver on the road in overtime on Friday before bouncing back on the second night of the back-to-back by outlasting the West-favorite Los Angeles Clippers 130-122 on Saturday. "It feels amazing, everybody chipped in," Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. told reporters after Saturday's win. "We fought through adversity once again, but we're finding who we are and we're continuing to grow and that's the most beautiful thing about it." Utah suffered its first loss with a 95-86 setback on Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers but found its way on offense the next night while routing Sacramento 113-81. "I think we all live long enough to have good days and bad days," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "The way our team responded from last night is the significant thing. You don't just forget about a performance that's not to the level that you want. You respond to it and try to make adjustments."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (2-1): Utah made several key additions in the offseason with veteran point guard Mike Conley and swingman Bojan Bogdanovic joining the team, and Bogdanovic found his time to shine on Saturday. The 30-year-old sat out Friday's loss with an ankle injury but returned against the Kings and rolled up 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range. "Every one of my shots tonight was wide open," Bogdanovic told reporters after the win. "That shows how unselfish we are. We are looking for the good-to-great: the guy who has a good shot is passing it to the guy who has a great shot."

ABOUT THE SUNS (2-1): Starting center and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton was suspended 25 games by the NBA after the opener and veteran center Aron Baynes is stepping up in an expanded role. Baynes averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the last two games and added a pair of blocks in Saturday's win while anchoring the defensive effort. "Just go out and lead by example," Baynes told reporters. "Every single play counts, and you see that. It comes down to one possession at the end of the game. It's a matter of focusing throughout the game. Not having those lulls. Trying to make the most of every opportunity. That's what we're working towards."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns PG Ricky Rubio (knee) sat out Saturday's contest and is day-to-day.

2. Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell is averaging 23.7 points on 58.7 percent shooting.

3. Utah took the last seven meetings by an average of 24.1 points.

PREDICTION: Jazz 106, Suns 103