Jazz vs. Rockets Prediction
The last series of the first round of the NBA Playoffs gets underway tonight when the Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz at 9:30PM ET.
517 Utah Jazz vs. 518 Houston Rockets
Sunday, April 14, 2019
9:30PM ET – Toyota Center
TV: TNT
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Rockets are favored at home in this game, as they are getting odds of -6 points against the Jazz. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 214 points. The public betting for the contest has 65 percent going on the Rockets at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Jazz playing well
Utah is the 5 seed in the West and the Jazz have won eight of their last 10 to close the regular season while going 4-1 against the spread over their last five games. Utah is 50-32 on the season, 21-19 on the road, 44-36-2 against the spread and 42-39-1 with the under.
The Jazz have been a solid defensive team this season, giving up just 106.5 points per game. Utah holds opponents to 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, the Jazz are putting up 111.7 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from the arc. Donovan Mitchell has been leading the team with 23.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Rudy Gobert is adding 15.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per contest.
Rockets slip up in finale
Houston blew a big lead at Oklahoma City in their season finale on Tuesday, which put them in the 4 seed in the West instead of potentially taking the 2 seed. Still, Houston has won eight of their last 10. The Rockets are 53-29 on the season, 31-10 at home, 40-39-3 against the spread and 41-39-2 with the under.
The Rockets are putting up 113.9 points per game on offense while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from the arc. Defensively, Houston is giving up 109.1 points per game while opponents shoot 46.6 percent against them and they hold foes to only 34 percent shooting from 3-point land. James Harden is leading the team with 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Clint Capela is adding 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Utah
The Jazz are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven road games against a team with a winning home record and 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a loss.
Houston
The Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last six games playing on 3 days of rest or more, but they are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight conference games.
Prediction:
These two split the season series, but Houston took the last two meetings. The spread isn’t terribly big for this game and the Rockets are playing at a pretty high level right now. Houston is healthy and clicking on offense, which is something it has struggled with throughout the season. Utah is going to be a tough out in this series, but I like Houston to cover at home in Game 1. I think the Rockets and Harden will score at a pace that the Jazz just can’t sustain, especially down the stretch.
NBA Prediction: Houston Rockets -6