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Big matchup on tap between Suns, Jazz

Apr 4, 2012 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - Two teams jockeying for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference will meet in Salt Lake City on Wednesday when the Utah Jazz play host to the Phoenix Suns.

Utah is currently one game behind Houston for the eighth and final slot in the West while the Suns are 1 1/2 games off the pace.

The Jazz snapped a three-game skid in Portland on Monday when Paul Millsap scored 31 points, including the go-ahead dunk late in the fourth quarter, to lift Utah over the Trail Blazers, 102-97.

Millsap added 11 rebounds while Gordon Hayward contributed 20 points and Al Jefferson finished with 13 points and 10 boards for the Jazz, who improved to 9-19 on the road this season.

Utah has been much tougher in the Beehive State, however, compiling a 19-7 mark at EnergySolutions Arena.

Jazz point guard Devin Harris suffered a left ankle sprain in the first half against the Blazers and never returned. He has been listed as questionable for tonight.

Phoenix, meanwhile, has won two straight and opened a key three-game road trip by topping Sacramento, 109-100, on Tuesday. Six Suns finished in double figures in that one, including Marcin Gortat, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lift Phoenix.

Steve Nash scored 18 points and handed out 12 assists, Michael Redd added 16 points off the bench, and Jared Dudley and Channing Frye netted 15 points apiece for the Suns, who are 11-15 as the visitor and will finish their trip in Denver on Friday.

"It was a great win for us," Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said. "For us to play from start to finish like we did I thought was really good."

Phoenix, which has won 15 of its last 22 overall to get back in the playoff hunt, has taken six straight over Utah.