The Utah Jazz (8-4) are in the Mile High City Sunday for an 8 p.m. ET game against the Denver Nuggets (6-6) in the Ball Arena. Below, we analyze the Jazz-Nuggets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Utah blew out the Atlanta Hawks 116-92 Friday en route to a fourth consecutive victory. The Jazz defense has stymied opponents over the past three games, holding each opponent to 92 or fewer points. It held the Hawks to just 17.9% from 3 and C Rudy Gobert, aka the Stifle Tower, had four of the Jazz’s six blocks in the game.
The Nuggets have won three of their last four games (2-2 against the spread), including a 114-104 home win vs. the Golden State Warriors Thursday. Denver’s offense has been rolling lately as the Nuggets have scored at least 114 points in each of their previous seven games. C Nikola Jokic is an early-season MVP candidate and is averaging a triple-double: 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
This is the first regular-season meeting between the two since Denver’s 3-1 comeback against Utah in the first round of last season’s Western Conference in playoffs. Including last season’s playoffs, the Nuggets are 7-3 straight up (7-2-1 ATS) in their 10 vs. the Jazz.
Jazz at Nuggets: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Nuggets -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Jazz +1.5 (-105) | Nuggets -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Jazz at Nuggets: Key Injuries
Jazz
- C Derrick Favors (knee) probable
- SF Joe Ingles (Achilles) out
Nuggets
- SF Michael Porter Jr. (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
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Jazz at Nuggets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Jazz 114, Nuggets 109
Money line (ML)
If you remember, Jazz All-Star SG Donovan Mitchell and Nuggets All-Star PG Jamal Murray both balled out in their playoff series last season. Mitchell averaged 36.3 points per game on 69.6% true shooting and Murray put up 31.6 PPG on 68.2% true shooting across their seven head-to-head games in the playoffs.
However, Mitchell simply has played much better to start this season than Murray, who’s struggling mightily. Murray is attributing his struggles to an elbow injury he’s playing through. Since Murray’s epic playoff performance last season was the major differentiator between these sides and he’s not playing very well at the moment, I’m on Utah in this spot.
It’s only a lean because the better play is Utah plus the points but I’ll TAKE the JAZZ (+105) for a half-unit to steal this game.
Against the spread (ATS)
GIMME JAZZ +1.5 (-105) for 1.5 units because while we lean toward Utah winning outright, it’s sharper to take the points. The head-to-head ATS trends are stacked against the Jazz in this spot but Utah is more well-rounded currently. And as square as it sounds, the Jazz have the motivation to get revenge for blowing their 3-1 lead in last season’s playoffs.
Over/Under (O/U)
My buy-price for a Jazz-Nuggets total is in the low 220s hence the prediction above. I’d BET OVER 219.5 (-115) because both teams are top 10 in effective field-goal percentage and the Under has cashed in six of the past eight Jazz-Nuggets games.
I’d put more action on the Jazz than the total because I’m more confident handicapping sides than totals.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- NBA discussing possibility of adding extra roster spot for teams (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Jazz | Nuggets
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