The Golden State Warriors (8-7) are in Salt Lake City Saturday for a 9 p.m. ET game at the Utah Jazz (11-4) in the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Below, we analyze the Warriors-Jazz NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Golden State has been up and down over the past couple of weeks, going 3-3 (3-3 against the spread) since Jan. 10. The Warriors were upset as 5-point home favorites by the New York Knicks their last time out in a game marred by sketchy officiating.
PF Draymond Green was tossed after receiving his second technical foul when he yelled at teammate rookie C James Wiseman, but the official mistakenly thought Green’s comment was directed at him. The league rescinded the technical from his record after the game.
Golden State’s loss to New York is hard to take seriously since it was terribly officiated, and the Warriors won their previous two games against the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Jazz are rolling right now, winning seven straight and covering all seven, including back-to-back double-digit home wins over the New Orleans Pelicans coming into Saturday.
Utah is hooping on both sides of the court through the first month of the season: The Jazz are fifth in effective field goal percentage and seventh in offensive rating while being second in opponent’s eFG% and sixth in defensive rating.
Utah was 4-0 last season (2-2 ATS) vs. the Warriors but Stephen Curry didn’t play in any of those games.
Warriors at Jazz: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Warriors +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Jazz -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Warriors +7.5 (-110) | Jazz -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 227.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Warriors at Jazz: Key Injuries
Warriors
- None that alters gambling lines
Jazz
- PF Derrick Favors (knee) probable
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Warriors at Jazz: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Jazz 116, Warriors 112
Money line (ML)
PASS with a lean on Warriors (+230) since I plan on taking Golden State to cover the spread, but the Jazz (-275) have won four straight at home. So I am not crazy about betting against Utah.
Against the spread (ATS)
Golden State can put up a good defense against what Utah does well (3-point shooting). The Jazz -7.5 (-110) has the second-best 3-point shooting percentage in the Association, and while the Warriors +7.5 (-110) are a mediocre 15th in defensive rating and opponent’s 3-point percentage, they are sixth in contesting 3-point shots.
Furthermore, Golden State’s two starting wings—SFs Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre—should be able to make life difficult for Utah’s SG Donovan Mitchell and SF Bojan Bogdanović.
Also, perhaps there’s some value on Golden State for the loss to a feisty New York team. The ridiculousness of the officiating in that game cannot be overstated. I’ll TAKE WARRIORS +7.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS with a lean on Over 227.5 (-115). I agree with BetMGM’s projected total, but there’s a better chance for hot shooting than an offensive stinker or defensive slugfest from these teams.
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Also see:
- Rookie Report: James Wiseman’s stats and highlights from career-high 20-point performance vs. Spurs (Warriors Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Warriors | Jazz
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