Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz 5/4/18, Prediction & Odds

Rockets vs. Jazz Prediction

The Utah Jazz stunned the top-seeded Houston Rockets on their home floor in Game 2 to even the Western Conference semifinals series at a game apiece. Can Houston bounce back tonight when it travels to Salt Lake City for Game 3?

Game Snapshot

515 Houston Rockets at 516 Utah Jazz

Friday, May 4, 2018

Vivint Smart Home Arena 10:30PM ET

TV: ESPN

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the Rockets are a 4-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 209 points. As of Friday morning, 71 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Houston. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.

Ingles, Jazz stun Rockets 

Houston was a double-digit favorite in Game 2 at home, not too long after it had rolled to a 110-96 win in Game 1. Instead, Utah used a fantastic gameplan to secure a decisive 116-108 victory to put the series at 1-1. Small forward Joe Ingles turned in a fantastic game with 27 points, shooting 10-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-9 from 3-point range. He added three assists and two steals. Donovan Mitchell and Alec Burks both put in 17 points, while Jae Crowder added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Poor shooting dooms Houston

The Rockets struggled against the Utah perimeter defense in Game 2 as they shot 10-of-37 from 3-point range and 38-of-95 overall. Houston star James Harden still managed to churn out a huge game with 32 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals. He shot 9-of-22 from the floor, 2-of-10 from 3-point range and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. Chris Paul contributed 23 points, five boards, three assists and three steals. Clint Capela added 21 points, 11 caroms and two blocked shots.

Public Betting Odds

Houston

The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings. The under is 5-1-1 in the last seven Houston games on a Friday.

Utah

The Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. The over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.

Prediction:

Utah stole home-court advantage and now plays on its own home court, where its style of play has more of an impact in a hostile environment. Houston could easily bounce back with a big win, but I'm on the flip side of the coin. The Jazz have a ton of confidence after the Game 2 win and head coach Quinn Snyder is fantastic at drawing up gameplans that work. I'm going to say Utah covers another spread, this time as the home dog.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: UTAH JAZZ +4