Jazz vs. Cavaliers Prediction
Will the Utah Jazz handle being nearly a double-digit favorite on the road when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 7:30PM ET?
527 Utah Jazz vs. 528 Cleveland Cavaliers
Friday, January 4, 2019
7:30PM ET – Quicken Loans Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Jazz are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -8.5 points against the Cavaliers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 208.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 68 percent going on the Jazz on the road. 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 early into road trip
The Jazz kicked off an East Coast road trip on Tuesday with a 122-116 loss at Toronto. Utah comes into tonight’s game at 18-20 on the season, 10-11 on the road, 18-19-1 against the spread and 19-19 with the over/under total.
Utah has been led by its defense this year, as the Jazz are giving up just 106.1 points per game while allowing the second-fewest rebounds in the NBA. Offensively, Utah is putting up 107.7 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Ricky Rubio is questionable to play in tonight’s game due to a foot injury. Rubio averages 12.7 points and 6.4 assists per game. Donovan Mitchell is leading the team with 20.1 points per game while Rudy Gobert is adding 15.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per contest.
Cavs on massive losing streak
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a 7-game losing streak following a 117-92 loss to Miami at home on Wednesday. Cleveland is now 8-30 on the season, 5-14 at home, 18-20 against the spread and 20-18 with the under.
Cleveland doesn’t have a lot to offer on either side of the court. The offense averages just 102 points per game while shooting only 44.3 percent. Defensively, the Cavs give up 111.4 points per game while opponents shoot 48.7 percent against them. Tristan Thompson just returned to the team in their latest loss. He averages 12 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Jordan Clarkson is leading the team currently with 16.9 points per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Utah
The Jazz are just 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven road games and 7-17 ATS in their last 24 road games against a team with a losing home record.
Cleveland
The Cavs are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games following a failed cover, but 0-4 ATS in their last four at home.
Prediction:
Having Thompson back should help, but it didn’t do much in a 25-point loss at home to Miami on Wednesday. He is likely to have his hands full with Gobert as is. Cleveland just doesn’t have the talent in the backcourt to compete most nights. Utah is still pretty sound with its guard play. Even if Rubio isn’t able to go, the Jazz have a lot of depth when it comes to distributors. I don’t love giving up so many points, but the trends back Utah more than Cleveland.
NBA Prediction: Utah Jazz -8.5