Jazz vs. Warriors Pick
Can the Utah Jazz find a way to compete with the Golden State Warriors when they meet tonight at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Warriors are the clear favorite tonight at home, as they are getting odds of -11 points against the Jazz. The over/under total for the game is listed at 210 points. Golden State has won six straight meetings with Utah, going 4-2 against the spread in those six victories.
Golden State has won four straight following a 135-90 thrashing of Portland on Saturday. The Warriors are now 24-4 on the year, but just 12-15-1 against the spread. They have only covered in one of their last six games. Golden State remains a tremendous power, averaging 117.9 points per game on offense. The defense gives up 105 points per game, but that is more of a reflection of their pace of play. Kevin Durant is averaging 25.8 points per game to lead the team while Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are both putting up over 20 points per game as well.
Utah is also on a four-game win streak following an 82-73 win at Memphis on Sunday. The Jazz are 18-10 overall and 16-11-1 against the spread. Utah has covered in four of its last five games, including a 106-99 loss to the Warriors back on Dec. 8. Utah is putting up only 100.2 points per game, but holding opponents to just 94.6 points per contest. George Hill has been sidelined with a toe injury. He averaged 20 points per game before getting hurt. Still, Gordon Hayward is playing at a high level, averaging 22.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.
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While Golden State is a lot to deal with, the Warriors have been getting too much credit from oddsmakers and it has shown in their sub-.500 record against the spread. Utah doesn’t have the horses to match the Warriors, but they play superior defense and should play up for this game. I look for this game to be competitive and Utah to stay within the sizable spread.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: UTAH JAZZ +11