Tag: Utah Jazz

Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (45-18) will take on the Utah Jazz (41-22) at Vivint Smart Home Arena Monday night. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Raptors-Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Raptors at Jazz: Key injuries

Raptors

  • PG Fred VanVleet (shoulder) questionable
  • C Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out

Jazz

  • PG Nigel Williams-Goss (quadriceps) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Raptors at Jazz: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:50 a.m. E.T.

Prediction

Jazz 115, Raptors 109

Moneyline (ML)

The JAZZ (-189) are home favorites over the streaking Raptors (+155) on Monday night. Toronto has won 16 of its last 20 games dating back to Jan. 12, and the Raptors have been incredible on the road this season at 22-9.

The Jazz have played well of late, as well, winning five straight games. With a home record of 21-9 this season, expect Utah to get another win Monday.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The JAZZ (-4.5, -110) will need to win by at least 5 points to cover the spread Monday, and they should. Utah’s record against the spread hasn’t been great of late, as the Jazz have failed to cover in seven of their last nine games. Toronto is in the same boat as they have covered just once in their last six games. With this relatively small spread, look for the Jazz to win and cover against the Raptors as they are playing much better basketball over the last two weeks.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this Monday night contest is set at 223.5, which feels high considering these are two of the best defensive clubs in the NBA. Both squads are allowing 108 or fewer points per game this season. This could be a slower-paced game. Take the UNDER 223.5 (-106) in Utah as these two teams could struggle to get to 110 points against one another.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Tiebreaker update: Where Rockets stand vs. West playoff rivals

Here’s where the Rockets stand with potential tiebreakers against the five West teams they’re competing for playoff seeding with.

With Thursday’s game versus the Los Angeles Clippers now in the rear-view mirror, the Houston Rockets (39-22) have completed play against all but one of the five Western Conference teams that they’re competing with for seeding in the upcoming 2020 NBA playoffs.

Entering Saturday, the Rockets trailed the top-seeded Lakers in the loss column by nine games, and they were 10 games ahead of No. 8 Memphis for the final playoff spot. Thus, rising or falling to one of those spots is very unlikely, with only 21 games left in the 2019-20 regular season.

However, anywhere between No. 2 and No. 7 is quite reasonable. The current No. 2 is the Clippers, who the Rockets trail by three games in the loss column, while the No. 7 is Dallas — who they lead by three. With six teams in such tight proximity, ties after 82 games are quite possible.

Of the five teams they’re competing with, the Rockets have secured the two-team tiebreaker over Utah (22 losses) by winning the season series, while they would lose the tiebreaker to Oklahoma City (24 losses).

Houston (22 losses) split the season series with Denver (20 losses) and the Clippers (19 losses) at two games apiece, and they’re also tied with the Mavericks (25 losses) at one game each — though they still have two meetings left on March 23 and April 7, both in Dallas.

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The biggest key for the Rockets is holding off the Mavs, because what happens relative to Dallas also poses the potential to impact how any ties between Houston and the Clippers and/or Nuggets would be broken.

In two-team ties, the second tiebreaker after head-to-head results is whether a team won its division. In three-team ties, division status represents the first tiebreaker. The Clippers almost certainly won’t win the Pacific, since they trail the Lakers by six games in the loss column.

Thus, if Houston holds off Dallas in the Southwest, they would almost assuredly earn the tiebreaker against the Clippers.

The Nuggets do currently lead the Northwest, but only by two games over the Jazz. Should Utah manage to catch Denver, Houston would also win any tie against the Nuggets for the same reason.

The Rockets winning the Southwest is vital, because if they don’t, they are poorly positioned for tiebreakers. Should Houston not win its division, the next tiebreaker is conference record, and the Rockets have more losses against the West than any of the other five teams.

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Houston also has two additional in-division losses than the Mavericks. So if the Mavs and Rockets were to end up tied for the Southwest, they’re not in a good spot for that tiebreaker unless they win both games at Dallas to secure the season series at three games to one.

But if the Rockets pull off that feat, it’s hard to imagine how they could possibly be tied with Dallas at the end of the season, since they already have a three-game lead on the Mavs in the loss column.

Realistically, should the Rockets and Mavs end up tied, it would almost certainly mean that Dallas won at least one of those head-to-head meetings. If that’s the case, Dallas would likely win any tiebreaker.

In short, the biggest priority for the Rockets (39-22) is maintaining their current advantage and holding off the Mavericks (38-25) to win the Southwest Division championship.

If they do that, not only will they be guaranteed to be ahead of the Mavs in 2020 NBA playoffs seeding, but they would also be in strong position to hold tiebreakers over the Clippers and potentially the Nuggets, as well.

One small silver lining is that if the Rockets are caught by the Mavericks, it would seem unlikely that they’d be in a position to tie the Nuggets and Clippers, anyway, since they already trail them by two and three games. In that doomsday scenario, tiebreakers could be inconsequential.

The bottom line: If Houston takes care of its own business, they’re well positioned for most tiebreakers, since the only team they’d definitely lose one against (Oklahoma City) is two games back in the loss column. It’s up to James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the rest of the Rockets to take advantage of that opportunity as the regular season draws to a close.

Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Utah Jazz (40-22) continue the road trip against the Detroit Pistons (20-43) Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. We analyze the Jazz-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Jazz at Pistons: Key injuries

Jazz

  • PG Mike Conley (rest) probable

Pistons

  • PG Bruce Brown (knee) probable
  • PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
  • SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
  • PG Brandon Knight (knee) probable
  • PG Derrick Rose (ankle) out

Jazz at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jazz 113, Pistons 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-358) are extremely expensive in this game, a continuation of their road trip. This game might be a lot closer than most think, although the Pistons (+275) are also a risky play at home based on their overall body of work this season. Jazz point guard Mike Conley played last night, and he has not been playing in back-to-back slates. The team said they expect him to play tonight, but they’d see how he felt when he woke up Saturday morning. The best course of action is to AVOID, and look to the line.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz to win outright would return a profit of $2.79.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PISTONS (+7.5, 100) are actually a solid 4-1 ATS across the past five outings while going 4-1 in the past five as an underdog. The Pistons are also 4-0 ATS in the past four on two days of rest. For the Jazz (-7.5, -121), they’re 1-4 ATS in the past five as a road favorite, 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven overall and 2-11-2 ATS in the previous 13 overall as a fave.

Over/Under (O/U)

Sometimes trends are made to be broken. The series trends suggest a slam-dunk under play. However, the OVER 214.5 (-106) is the way to go in this one. The over has hit in nine of the past 12 for Utah on the road, while going 8-2 in the past 10 as a road favorite. The over is also 21-7 in the past 28 for the Pistons at LCA, while going 12-3 in the past 15 at home against teams with a winning road mark.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Jazz leave Boston on a sour note, win 99-95 at the Garden

Injuries and a cold-shooting night combined to see the Boston Celtics drop a game at home as the Utah Jazz got their revenge for Boston’s Feb. 26 win in Salt Lake City.

The Utah Jazz arrived at TD Garden on a three-game winning streak after dropping a home game to the Boston Celtics on Feb. 26 with the sting of the loss still on their minds.

The game began with a hail of 3-pointers, with Utah guards Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley going blow-for-blow with Boston forwards Jayson Tatum and Semi Ojeleye, the latter earning a start after his 22-point outburst against the Cleveland Cavaliers Mar. 4.

The Celtics began to pull away as guard Marcus Smart got hot from beyond the arc as well, but the Jazz would battle back, retaking a 30-29 lead on a Jordan Clarkson make with seconds left in the frame.

The second quarter began with center Enes Kanter cutting to the basket for a quick layup, but the Jazz stayed close with neither team getting much separation until Georges Niang and Joe Ingles helped push a lead to 47-37 with eight minutes left in the half.

Utah would push their lead to as high as 16 points before Smart would cut the lead to 10, but a clutch trey from Mitchell in the half’s final seconds sent the Jazz into the break up 62-49.

The penultimate frame began with another Conley three, but Smart and point guard Kemba Walker would chip away at the lead until Ojeleye cut the lead to five.

Clarkson would help push the lead back up with a pair of late buckets that left Utah up 79-66 to start the fourth quarter.

The final frame saw Walker start to make a dent in the Jazz’ double-digit lead, but the Celtics could never quite get over the hump. Despite mounting a furious late comeback, Boston would fall to Utah 99-95.

The Jazz were led by Mike Conley’s 25 points and 5 assists, and Jordan Clarkson added 17 off the bench for Utah.

Boston saw a big if inefficient night for Smart on his birthday with 29 points on 9-of-23 shooting, and Tatum managed to log 18 points and 7 rebounds despite going 7-of-19 from the floor as well.

Boston’s poor shooting was one of the biggest factors behind the loss, with the team shooting just 37.2 % overall, and 27.8 % from deep.

The Boston Celtics next face the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden on Sunday, Mar. 8 at 6pm ET.

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Danny Ainge explains not picking up available free agents for playoffs

Danny Ainge isn’t prepared to make any moves to pick up available free agents for the Celtics’ playoff run.

In general manager Danny Ainge’s eyes, the Boston Celtics do not need to pick up any available free agents for their playoff run.

Per an article from Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Ainge explained why he hasn’t made moves to pick up players who have recently been bought out or other free agents like Jamal Crawford, who has waited to be signed since last summer.

“It’s my impression that they’re rarely as good as people think they are,” Ainge told the Herald. “A lot of people, including myself and coaches and players, think that a player is still what he was two or three years prior or that he can return to a time of (when he was a) better player. But there’s always a reason why players are available.”

The Celtics as currently constructed have a legitimate chance at coming out of the Eastern Conference.

With their collection of wings in Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have a triad of scorers and ball handlers. Add Kemba Walker onto that, and the Celtics make for one of the most difficult teams to defend on the perimeter.

This season the Celtics are shooting 36.4% from the 3-point line, ranking 11th in the NBA. Among teams that are over .500, the Celtics rank sixth in 3-point percentage, with the Utah Jazz sitting at the top.

The Celtics will play the Jazz in TD Garden on Friday at 8 p.m. EST.

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Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Utah Jazz (39-22) put their three-game winning streak on the line Friday night against the Boston Celtics (42-19). Tip-off at TD Garden is at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Jazz-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Jazz at Celtics: Key injuries

Jazz

  • PG Nigel Williams-Goss (quadriceps) out

Celtics

  • SF Jaylen Brown (hamstring) out
  • SF Gordon Hayward (knee) out

Jazz at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Celtics 117, Jazz 112

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (+110) have won three in a row, albeit against lesser opponents against which they were favored by at least 9 points. Both teams are 6-4 across their last 10 games with Utah going 4-0 in its last four road games.

The Celtics (-133) have been good at home against the Jazz in recent matchups, though, going 9-2 straight up in those games. Take the CELTICS (-133).

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Celtics returns a profit of $7.50.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Celtics are 2.5-point favorites over the Jazz, the first time Utah has been an underdog in its last nine games. Boston has been great against the spread, going 8-1-1 in its last 10 outings. Utah hasn’t had the same fortunes, covering the spread in only one of its last seven games.

The Celtics are 17-11-2 ATS at home this season and will continue their winning ways. Bet the CELTICS (-2.5, -110) to cover the spread tonight and win by at least 3 points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over/Under is set at 219.5. Despite being banged up and missing Brown and Hayward, the Celtics offense hasn’t missed a beat. The total has gone Over in six of their last eight games.

The Over is only 5-5 in the Jazz’s last 10 games, but both offenses will do enough to put the score Over Friday’s projected total. Bet the OVER 219.5 (-115).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Preview: Celtics host a Jazz franchise looking for revenge

The Boston Celtics face a hot Utah Jazz team that hasn’t lost since their last meeting. Will the Jazz get revenge, or will Boston start a winning streak of their own?

The 42-19 Boston Celtics host the 39-22 Uah Jazz at TD Garden as they try to snap Utah’s three-game winning streak and re-establish one of their own.

After recovering from an embarrassing collapse against the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the week with a hard-fought win over a feisty Cleveland Cavaliers on Mar. 4, the Celtics will face a dangerous Western Conference team wanting revenge for the win Boston laid on them in Salt Lake City.

They haven’t lost a game since the two teams last played, and both franchises have won six of their last four contests.

Boston is going to be without shooting guard Jaylen Brown (hamstring) and forward Gordon Hayward (knee) as both recuperate from injuries sustained in the Brooklyn loss, but will get back All-Star point guard Kemba Walker.

Utah will effectively be at full health with only reserve guard Nigel Williams-Goss (quad) likely out for the contest.

The health advantage clearly in the Jazz’ court, the game should be a close one. Boston should get a boost from the home crowd, and still probably has the talent advantage with both All-Star forward Jayson Tatum and Walker available.

The Celtics should come away with the win so long as they play together early and often, and get even a sliver of the production the bench provided against the Cavs earlier in the week.

Most online sportsbooks tend to agree, with an average spread of -2.5 for Boston.

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Utah Jazz at New York Knicks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Utah Jazz at New York Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Utah Jazz (38-22) travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (19-42) Wednesday. Tip-off for this game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Jazz-Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Jazz at Knicks: Key injuries

Knicks

  • SF Reggie Bullock (illness) probable
  • SF Kevin Knox (leg) questionable
  • C Mitchell Robinson (hamstring) questionable
  • PG Dennis Smith (concussion) out

Jazz

  • PG Nigel Williams-Goss (quadriceps) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Jazz at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. E.T.

Prediction

Jazz 113, Knicks 107

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-358) are big road favorites over the Knicks (+275). While Utah is currently in a bit of a slump, losing four of its last six games, the Knicks have lost six of their last eight. Both sides aren’t playing well, but don’t be afraid to take the Jazz here despite the big line. Utah is just a much better team and should be able to defeat the Knicks, even on the road.

PASS on the moneyline bet, however, as there just isn’t enough value with a $10 bet on the Jazz to win returning a profit of just $2.80.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Jazz (-8.5, -106) are nearly double-digit favorites over the KNICKS (+8.5, -115) despite failing to cover in four of their last five games. Utah has struggled to find its rhythm but will look to bounce back against New York with PG Mike Conley now coming off the bench. Given their recent struggles, I like the Knicks to hang around and eventually cover this spread as they have covered in seven of their last 10 home games.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set 218.5 points, which feels about right considering how bad the Knicks have been on offense this season. They have the third-worst scoring offense in the NBA, averaging just over 105 points per game. I still like the OVER 218.5 (-115) to hit here as the Knicks have struggled to stop anyone on the other end of the court this season. Don’t expect a high-scoring game, but expect this game to finish in the 220-point range.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Utah Jazz (37-22) travel to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-43) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland at 7 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Jazz-Cavaliers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Jazz at Cavaliers: Key Injuries

Jazz

  • PG Nigel Williams-Goss (quadriceps) out

Cavaliers

  • PG Dante Exum (ankle) out
  • PG Darius Garland (groin) out
  • SF Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) out
  • C Tristan Thompson (knee) out
  • SG Dylan Windler (shin) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Jazz at Cavaliers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jazz 115, Cavaliers 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-400) are a good bet to win on the road against the Cavaliers (+310), but laying four times your return on investment is not a good way to go about betting. You could win four of those types of bets, lose one, have an 80.0 winning percentage and still not break even. AVOID.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz ML returns a profit of just $2.50 if they win. A $10 bet on the Cavaliers ML returns a profit of $31.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

While the Jazz (-8.5, -110) are a good bet to win outright, the CAVALIERS (+8.5, -110) have shown some heart under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. They’re a respectable 4-3 straight up and 5-1-1 ATS across their past seven outings, including outright wins against playoff contenders Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers at home. While Cleveland isn’t likely to add Utah to that list, the Cavs are a good bet to continue as cover kings. Add in the fact the Jazz are 1-10-2 ATS in their past 13 as favorites and 0-5-1 ATS in their past six against losing teams, and Cleveland looks awfully tasty on their home floor.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 219.5 (-106) is worth a roll of the dice, perhaps in a parlay with the Cavs. While the Under is 6-0-1 in the past seven meetings in this series, the trends for both teams in the past few weeks point to the over.

The Over is 8-2 in the past 10 on the road for Utah, and 7-1 in their past eight as a road favorite. The Over is also 13-4 in the past 17 for the Cavs at home and 9-4 in the past 13 as a home dog.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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