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The Phoenix Suns got off to a good start on Friday, but couldn't maintain the early success and lost to the Utah Jazz, 87-80.
The Suns scored 31 points in the first quarter to take a six-point lead, but the offense went silent in the second quarter. Phoenix scored just nine points in the second quarter while shooting 21.1 percent from the field. No player scored more than three points in the quarter and Utah led, 42-40, at halftime.
The Jazz increased their lead with a strong third quarter and held on for the win. The Jazz frontcourt was especially effective on Friday. Al Jefferson scored a team-high 21 points while Paul Millsap scored 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Utah won despite making just 1 of 9 three-point attempts.
Five different Suns scored in double figures, led by Marcin Gortat, who posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Goran Dragic scored 17 points while Jared Dudley finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. The Suns shot 45.3 percent from the floor, but made just 4 of 15 three-point attempts.