The Utah Jazz (11-6) travel to Paycom Center Wednesday to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-11). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Jazz vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Led by C Rudy Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and G Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz have won just five of their last ten games.
They’ve disappointed after a 6-1 start to the season. One of the most complete teams in the NBA, Utah is 10-7 against the spread (ATS) and 7-10 over/under (O/U).
The Thunder have been led by star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but they’ll be short-handed as their best player is sidelined. No SGA means the Thunder will rely on G Lu Dort and F Darius Bazley more.
Oklahoma City is typically a heavy underdog but is 11-6 ATS and 5-12 O/U. The Thunder are 4-4 at home, so they have had success at Paycom this season.
Jazz at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100) | Thunder +600 (bet $100 to win $600)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jazz -12.5 (-110) | Thunder +12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Jazz at Thunder key injuries
Jazz
- None
Thunder
- G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) out
Jazz at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Jazz 111, Thunder 96
Money line
PASS on the money line.
There is zero reasons why the Jazz should lose this game, but one should never bet on a -1000 favorite given how regular-season NBA basketball works. The +600 has little value either in this situation with SGA sidelined.
Against the spread
BET on the JAZZ -12.5 (-110) as SGA’s absence makes all the difference.
The Thunder are still 6 points worse than their opponents with SGA on the court, but they’re 5.4 points per 100 possessions better with him than without him.
OKC has played better lately but still has the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA. That will likely plummet under 95 Wednesday as they’ll be banking on inefficient rookie G Josh Giddey to produce.
With G Mike Conley, Gobert and Mitchell on the other side of the court, I’m betting on the proven team. The Jazz have won three of their last four games, all by 16 or more points.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 210.5 (-107) as OKC will have no consistent scoring. Dort and Giddey will be asked to do more which isn’t a good thing.
Without SGA on the court, their offense will be depleted and may be almost nonexistent, especially against Gobert.
The Thunder’s strength is also in their defense, so they should be able to limit Mitchell with Dort’s aggression. I expect the Jazz to struggle a bit.
The Under feels like the better play with SGA out and the Jazz among the best defensive teams in the NBA.
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