Jazz vs. Rockets Prediction
The Utah Jazz have a quick turnaround after advancing to the Western Conference semifinals two nights ago as they are now tasked with a Game 1 showdown with the top-seeded Houston Rockets. Will Utah cover the double digit spread as the underdog this afternoon?
Game Snapshot
553 Utah Jazz at 554 Houston Rockets
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Toyota Center at 3:30PM ET
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Rockets are an 11.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 207 points. As of Sunday morning, 54 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Utah. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Rubio out for Game 1 and more
The Game 6 series-clinching 96-91 win by the Jazz at home Friday night was not without some bad news as point guard Ricky Rubio injured his hamstring and will be out for as much as two weeks. Rubio was outstanding in the series versus the Thunder, even tallying a triple-double in Game 3. He only played seven minutes before the injury, failing to score a point while dishing out three assists and grabbing a rebound. For the series, he averaged 14 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists despite those numbers taking a downturn due to his lack of Game 6 numbers. Standout rookie guard Donovan Mitchell will handle much of the ball-handling responsibilities.
Capela dominant in Game 5 vs. T-Wolves
Rockets center Clint Capela enters the Western Conference semifinals in fantastic form after turning in a superb performance in Game 5 as Houston won 122-104 to clinch the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Capela scored a team-best 26 points on 12-of-14 shooting while ripping down 15 rebounds in the triumph. He can sometimes see his minutes cut due to foul trouble or the matchup or the many blowout wins Houston record, but it was encouraging to see him play at least 32 minutes in three of the five games against Minnesota.
NBA Betting Trends
Utah
The over is 12-0 in the last 12 Utah home games. The over is 8-1 in the last nine Jazz games versus a team with a winning straight up record.
Houston
The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Houston. The over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings overall.
NBA Betting Trends
Look at all the over trends for this game. It’s really tempting you to play the over. You know you want to, because it seems like the right play. But that is why betting can be such a challenge. My money is on the under here. The absence of Rubio will have an impact on the Utah offense and Houston’s defense doesn’t get the credit it deserves. There will probably be a couple overs in this series, but with the quick turnaround for the visitors and afternoon start I like this game to stay under the total.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: JAZZ/ROCKETS UNDER 207