Suns coach Scott Skiles decided to give Tsakalidis his first start of the season for defensive purposes on Utah star Karl Malone. It paid immediate benefits on both ends of the floor, according to Bob Young of the Arizona Republic.

Tsakalidis scored seven points in the first 6:30 of the game, and his defense against Malone early and especially late in the game was a key to the outcome.

"Jake was the only guy we had who did a good job on him," Skiles said. "I was waiting to bring him back (late in the game) because I didn't want him to foul out. He ended up being all right. He didn't fall for all of Karl's shot fakes."