Jazz vs. Cavaliers Pick
Will the Cleveland Cavaliers cruise to a comfortable win at home tonight when they host the Utah Jazz at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cavaliers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Jazz. The over/under total for the game is listed at 206.5 points. Utah won the first meeting this season, 100-92 at home back on Jan. 10.
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The Jazz have been rolling along, winning six of their last seven to get to 43-25 on the season. Utah sits fourth in the Western Conference standings right now, 10.5 games out of first place. Utah has covered in three of its last four to get to 31-35-2 against the spread on the season. Utah averages 100.7 points per game on offense while allowing just 96.4 on defense. Gordon Hayward is leading the team with 22 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Utah is dealing with some injuries as Rodney Hood (knee) is doubtful tonight while Derrick Favors (knee) is out.
Cleveland is coming off a 128-96 win over the Pistons earlier this week, but the Cavs are just 2-4 in their last six games to fall to 44-22 on the season. Cleveland still holds the top spot in the East, but leads Boston by just two games. The Cavs are 31-33-2 against the spread on the season as well. Cleveland is averaging 111 points per game on offense while allowing 106.5 on defense. When at home, Cleveland puts up 113.4 points while allowing just 103.8. LeBron James is averaging 25.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game to lead the team while Kyrie Irving adds 25.2 points and 5.9 assists.
Both teams have some injury issues, as the Cavs will continue to be without Kevin Love while Kyle Korver is questionable. Still, Utah is dealing with bigger injuries as the Jazz need more from their injured players. LeBron and Irving can handle most of the load, but Hayward can’t do it all for the Jazz. I think Utah will be overwhelmed tonight and get soundly beaten.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -6.5