Rockets vs. Jazz Prediction
Which team will grab an important win in the Western Conference race tonight when the Utah Jazz host the Houston Rockets at 9PM ET?
543 Houston Rockets vs. 544 Utah Jazz
Saturday, February 22, 2020
9PM ET – Vivint Smart Home Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Utah is the slight favorite at home, as the Jazz are getting odds of -2 points against the Rockets. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 232.5 points. The public betting currently has 70 percent going on the Rockets as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rockets going small
Houston is coming off wins over Boston and Golden State to establish a little momentum with their new approach of a small lineup. The Rockets are now 35-20 on the season, 16-12 on the road, 27-28 against the spread and 31-24 with the under.
The Rockets have the second-best offense in the NBA right now, averaging 118.5 points despite shooting just 45.2 percent as a team. Defensively, Houston is giving up 114.3 points per game. Opponents are shooting 46.2 percent against them. Eric Gordon is questionable for Houston tonight with a shin injury. James Harden is leading the team with 35.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Russell Westbrook is adding 27.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest.
Utah falls at home
The Jazz came out of the break last night with a surprising 113-104 loss at home to the Spurs. That snapped a four-game win streak for Utah. The Jazz are now 36-19 on the season, 20-6 at home, 28-26-1 against the spread and 29-6 with the over.
Utah is putting up 111.1 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.4 percent as a team, including a league-best 38.7 percent from the arc. Defensively, Utah gives up just 107.3 points per game while opponents are held to 44.9 percent shooting against them. Donovan Mitchell is leading Utah right now with 24.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Rudy Gobert is adding 15.6 points and 14.6 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Houston
The Rockets are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine road games against a team with a winning home record and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games as an underdog.
Utah
The Jazz are 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six games as a home favorite and 0-5 ATS in their last five following a loss.
Prediction:
The road team has won both meetings this season as an underdog, including a 126-117 win for Houston in Utah back on Jan. 27 without Harden and Westbrook. If both teams were fresh, I would probably go with Utah. Gobert will be a big problem against a small lineup like Houston’s. However, the Jazz are coming off a game last night against the Spurs and I expect them to have some tired legs tonight. Houston will look to push the pace and tire the Jazz out quickly, which could work against a bigger frontcourt. I am going with the Rockets with the points tonight.
NBA Prediction: Houston Rockets +2