Suns beat Jazz 99-84

The Phoenix Suns are hoping their big win over the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday was the start of a big homestand. They followed through Friday night, piling up 50 points in less than 19 minutes after tipoff, then fought off a couple of comeback tries by the visiting Utah Jazz en route to a 99-84 win. The Jazz (13-11) had their four-game win streak snapped. The Suns (9-15) got a huge game from Jared Dudley, who is playing as if he is the solution at the starting small forward spot. Dudley put up a season-high 22 points, plus five assists, four rebounds and three steals in 43 minutes. Marcin Gortat added 12 points and 14 boards while defending Al Jefferson, who usually crushes the Suns. In this game, Jefferson settled for 14 points and 11 rebounds. Goran Dragic had 17 points, five assists and just one turnover. In addition to Jefferson, the Jazz got 12 points and seven boards from Paul Millsap. Dudley began his season as the starting off guard, struggled then assumed a reserve role. Now, he's starting at the "three" spot, where he "probably should have been all along," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "When you play at 'two" [off guard], you're usually on quicker guys," Dudley said. "You exert more energy." A corresponding move has Michael Beasley, who began the season as the starting small forward, playing off the bench more at the "four" spot. The Jazz pulled within 65-61 and 79-72 but the Suns broke away each time. For the game, they held the Jazz to just 40 percent shooting. They had a margin for error by ramping up the tempo early and running up a 56-36 lead, before the Jazz closed it to 56-42 at halftime.