Surging Suns tangle with Jazz

The Phoenix Suns didn't hit the 100-point mark in any of their first four games, but have done so in back-to-back wins.

The Suns will try to make it three straight victories Saturday against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Phoenix posted a 117-110 triumph Wednesday at Charlotte in the finale of a three-game road trip (1-2), then handed the Cleveland Cavaliers a 107-105 setback Friday in the desert. Goran Dragic scored a game-high 26 points and Shannon Brown added 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns, who made 46.9 percent of their shots and converted 21 Cleveland turnovers into 26 points.

"I mean obviously it was a much needed win. I just thought our guys hung in there. They're a really good team. That young backcourt, like I said earlier, I think they are as good as any backcourt in the NBA. You see what (Dion) Waiters can do and the way Kyrie (Irving) controls the game," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said.

Sebastian Telfair chipped in 13 points in a reserve role, as the Suns battled back from a 26-point deficit with a 14-4 run late in the game.

Utah will try to improve to 3-0 as the host this season, but has dropped four of five games since opening the campaign with a win.

The Jazz, who are 0-4 on the road this season, lost a 104-84 decision at Denver on Friday. Gordon Hayward netted 15 points to lead the Jazz, who made only 36.8 percent from the floor and sank just 4-of-23 3-point tries. The Nuggets scored 23 points off 18 Utah turnovers and had a 21-point lead in the third quarter.

"A very disappointing effort. We just didn't execute," Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said.

Randy Foye and Enes Kanter scored 13 points apiece off the bench in defeat. Al Jefferson was held to just four points in less than 23 minutes and Mo Williams ended with two points and four assists. According to Corbin, Williams strained his right abductor muscle during the third quarter and is questionable.

The Jazz opened 5-0 at home in 2011-12 and will begin a four-game road trip on the East Coast Monday against Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington.

Utah lost two of three meetings with the Suns a season ago and has dropped nine of the previous 13 matchups in this series.