For the fourth year in a row, the NBA has disclosed the vote for All-Star starters of fans, media and players. Since we now have the data of where each player ranked in the final results, we decided to look for patterns. For example, which players …
For the fourth year in a row, the NBA has disclosed the vote for All-Star starters of fans, media and players. Since we now have the data of where each player ranked in the final results, we decided to look for patterns.
For example, which players do better with fans than with their NBA peers?
We found out 16 guys have ranked higher in the fan vote than in the players vote every year since 2017. Only two on the list have made the All-Star Game and they are both members of the world-beating Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Kind of makes you go ‘Hmmm’, right?
The largest disparity between player and fan vote happens with Jordan Clarkson, though, which was kind of unexpected.
For more details, you can check the gallery above. All rankings based on position and conference.
Previewing Thursday’s Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.
The Utah Jazz (32-15) trek over to the Mile High City Thursday to play the Denver Nuggets (32-15) at 10:30 p.m. ET at Pepsi Center. We analyze the Jazz-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Jazz at Nuggets: Key injuries
Nuggets
C Bol Bol (foot) out
PF Paul Millsap (knee) out
PF Mason Plumlee (foot) out
PG Jamal Murray (ankle) out
Jazz at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The matchup to pay attention to in Jazz-Nuggets is between the two all-star centers. Jazz C Rudy Gobert is the back-to-back defending Defensive Player of the Year and is guarding ultra-versatile Nuggets C Nikola Jokić who strains defenses with his passing ability and court vision. Gobert has gotten the better of Jokić thus far in their careers:
Another major reason the Jazz have the edge over the Nuggets is the injury report. Denver will be missing two bigs, and aside from Gobert, Utah has good defensive bigs backing him up in Ed Davis and Tony Bradley. Plus the absence of Murray could be huge for a Nuggets team needing someone in the backcourt to mitigate the damage Donovan Mitchell can cause. Murray has scored 20-plus points in his last two games against Utah, but Mitchell has scored 30-plus in his last two games overall and 46 points in the previous Jazz-Nuggets game, which was last season.
BET JAZZ (+100) on the moneyline. New to sports betting? Bet $100 on the Jazz to earn a profit of $100 if they win.
Since we are playing the Jazz on the moneyline at even money, we’re going to PASS on a line wager in this game. Since this game is essentially a coin flip, here’s an ATS trend that might win you over in picking the Jazz outright—Utah is 16-7 ATS in the last 23 meetings.
The UNDER 217.5 (-125) is the right bet if you’re playing the total in the Jazz-Nuggets game. This game should be a high-intensity affair with these teams tied for the third seed in the Western Conference, and it’s a primetime game. Furthermore, both teams don’t give up a lot points—combined they are giving up 212.7 points per game and each plays a slowed-down tempo. Denver is second to last in Pace of play and Utah is ranked 18th. Also, the Under is 14-2 in the last 16 meetings in Denver.
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Steve Kerr said after the Warriors won their historic 73rd regular-season game, in the locker room, the team tuned in to watch Kobe Bryant’s final NBA game.
On April 13, 2016, the Golden State Warriors made NBA history, winning their record-setting 73rd regular-season game. After taking down the Memphis Grizzlies 125-104, Golden State went into the locker room not to celebrate, but to watch the final game of an NBA legend.
On the same night, Kobe Bryant suited up for the last game of his NBA farewell tour against the Utah Jazz. Bryant made it memorable, scoring 60 points on 22-of-50 shooting from the field, leading Los Angeles to a 101-91 in the final game of his storied NBA career.
I do remember it — we made history and stayed out on the floor — it was a celebration out on the court and we stayed out on the floor for quite a while and then we all went in the locker room and the game was on — everybody’s whispering, ‘Kobe’s got 40’ and we watched the last few minutes as he racked up the points — players were all watching on their side of the locker room, and coaches were all in our locker room watching — it was an incredible night.
Warriors won their record 73rd game the same night Kobe finished his career with 60 points. Steve Kerr recalls that night, remembering the team, fresh off NBA history, going back to the locker room to watch Kobe. pic.twitter.com/MWP6FxB6ED
Previewing Wednesday’s Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The San Antonio Spurs (20-26) host the Utah Jazz (32-14) Wednesday at AT&T Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Jazz-Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Jazz at Spurs: Key Injuries
Spurs
PF LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb) out
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Jazz at Spurs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.
The JAZZ (-222) are third in the Western Conference and come into Wednesday having won eight of their last 10 games, despite being dealt a 126-117 loss to the Houston Rockets Monday. They’re 14-10 on the road this season and outscore the opposition by 5.0 points per game.
The absence of Aldridge will loom large for the Spurs (+180). They’re 12-12 on home court this season but enter Wednesday on a three-game losing skid, including Monday’s 110-109 loss at the Chicago Bulls. This is the first of four meetings between the two sides this season.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz to win outright returns a profit of just $4.80.
Get a better return on a Jazz victory by backing UTAH (-4.5, -125) to win by at least 5 points. They’re 25-10-1 against the spread overall and 13-11 as the visitors. San Antonio is just 19-16-1 ATS overall, with most of those difficulties coming at home where they’re 7-17-0 ATS on the season.
Utah’s last eight victories were all decided by a margin of at least 5 points. San Antonio has stayed within 5 points in each of its last four losses, but the Jazz will dominate the frontcourt battle with Aldridge on the shelf. Look for a big game from Jazz C Rudy Gobert.
Take the OVER 220.5 (-121). Both teams have played above the projections more often than not this season, with San Antonio 28-18 against the Over/Under and Utah 24-22 against the number. The two teams combine to average 224.5 points per game with 220.5 points allowed per game.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 164-136
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Former NBA guard Vernon Maxwell won two NBA titles with the Rockets during his playing career, and the road to those championships went through Utah in the West.
The Rockets knocked off the Jazz in both 1994 and 1995. And 25 years later, Maxwell is still taking a victory lap.
If you’ve followed the 54-year-old former NBA journeyman on Twitter over the years, odds are you’ve seen the occasional shot taken at the state of Utah. He’ll mock Utah for not having the internet (Note: Utah does have the internet). He claimed that he banned Utah from buying his jerseys. Again, the dude just hates Utah.
But on Monday, Maxwell put together his best work yet. In a tweet, he said he wanted to make amends with Utah by holding a free clinic for the state’s best young shooters. He included a video of those young shooters …
So here is the reason I’m in Utah. I decided to offer a free clinic to the best young shooters in the state as a truce to try and mend my relationship with Utah fans. Here are the best shooters the state had to offer…. pic.twitter.com/ziJgaFP8En
The video opened with four straight airballs and not a single bucket. I’m not entirely sure where that video came from, but Maxwell managed to top this tweet in savage fashion:
I'd like 2 apologize Jazz fans that were offended by my tweets. If I knew u guys had internet in Utah I would've never made those tweets.
Eric Gordon scored a career-high 50, and the Rockets won at Utah despite James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Clint Capela all being out.
The Houston Rockets were without three starters and two former MVPs on Monday night for the second half of a road back-to-back, all against a Utah Jazz squad that had won 19 of its last 21 games.
With a gritty and determined effort on both sides of the court, the scrappy and shorthanded Rockets found a way to win, anyway.
Eric Gordon scored a career-high 50 points in the absence of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Clint Capela, and the undermanned Rockets (29-17) won in Salt Lake City, 126-117 (box score). It was the first of three meetings between the Western Conference rivals this season.
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The 6-foot-3 Gordon connected on an astonishing 14-of-22 shots (63.6%) from the field, and 6-of-11 (54.5%) on 3-pointers.
Eric Gordon on scoring 50 points: "It really feels great, man. All the stuff I've been through over the years. All the injuries. For me to get a chance to get 50, it definitely means a lot. And I'm headed in the right direction." pic.twitter.com/K022iynuiT
The Jazz (32-14), who lost to the Rockets in a pair of five-game series in both the 2018 and 2019 NBA playoffs, were led by 36 points from Donovan Mitchell and 30 by newcomer Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Rockets led for the majority of the game, and they set the tone early in part due to an unorthodox call from head coach Mike D’Antoni.
D'Antoni: "Definitely uplifting. I coached a lot of teams, in a lot of games, and that was one of the most satisfying. I thought our guys couldn’t have played harder. Obviously, you make mistakes in a game. But big play after big play after big play."
Rather than replace Capela with a more traditional center such as Isaiah Hartenstein or Tyson Chandler, the Rockets started 6-foot-5 P.J. Tucker in the middle. That forced Utah’s defensive anchor, Rudy Gobert, to abandon the paint at times and defend out to the 3-point line.
That floor spacing opened driving lanes for the likes of Gordon and Austin Rivers, who set a 2019-20 season high of his own with 21 points.
Danuel House Jr., who started at power forward with Tucker sliding to center, also scored 21 points — but his biggest contribution was a career-high 11 rebounds. Despite going smaller, Houston still outrebounded Utah, 40-38, led by 11 rebounds by House and 10 from Tucker.
Thus, the switch to a smaller lineup paid off for the Rockets offensively without compromising them too much on the defensive end.
D'Antoni said it wasn't a tough decision for the #Rockets to go 5 out against Gobert, as opposed to replacing Capela with a traditional center. Pointed to their success doing it with Luc Mbah a Moute two years ago.
In the absence of three starters, veteran Thabo Sefolosha scored 9 points in a season-high 26 minutes on 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%) off the bench. He also provided steady defense, allowing the Rockets to continue spacing the floor at all positions even in the 16 minutes that Tucker sat.
House and Rivers each set 2019-20 season highs with 46 and 41 minutes, respectively, allowing D’Antoni and the Rockets to overcome a short rotation with three starters out due to injuries or rest.
Amazing, improbable win for the short handed Rockets! Gordon dropped a career high 50! Rivers a season best 21. House had 21 & a career high 11 rebounds. They defended, rebounded and shot it really well. It was Utah's 4th home loss of the season. Finish it up strong in Portland!
The Rockets have now won three of four games overall, including a 2-1 start to their current four-game road trip. They will finish up the road swing on Wednesday against the Trail Blazers before a stretch with five of seven games at home leading into February’s All-Star break.
Westbrook (rest) and Harden (bruised thigh) are expected back for that game, while the status of Capela (bruised heel) is less clear. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. Central time from Portland.
Russell Westbrook was very exciting postgame. Hyping up both Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers during their postgame TV interviews.
With Harden, Westbrook, and Capela all out, the Rockets are missing an average of 76.3 points, 28.2 rebounds, and 15.9 assists per game.
The Houston Rockets were severely shorthanded in Monday’s game at Utah, with the team’s two former MVPs and three most prominent starters all out of head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s lineup.
Westbrook played Sunday in Denver and is scheduled to sit out one game of all back-to-backs this season as part of his recovery from offseason knee surgery. Since he doesn’t have a current injury, he’ll be back in the lineup in Houston’s next game on Wednesday night in Portland.
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The status of Harden and Capela for Wednesday is not yet clear. Harden has now missed two straight games since bruising his thigh last Friday, while it’s the fourth absence in under a month for Capela due to his heel.
James Harden is OUT tonight, per Mike D’Antoni. Clint Capela is also OUT.
Harden, Westbrook, and Capela have combined to average 76.3 points, 28.2 rebounds, and 15.9 assists per game in the 2019-20 NBA season.
That’s a massive void for the Rockets (28-17) against any team, but especially versus the Jazz (32-13) on the second night of a road back-to-back for Houston. Entering Monday, Utah had won 19 of its last 21 games.
With the three absences, D’Antoni’s new-look (and smaller) starting lineup in Salt Lake City consisted of Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon, Ben McLemore, Danuel House Jr., and P.J. Tucker.
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Rockets starters: Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers, Ben McLemore, Danuel House Jr., PJ Tucker
Houston upgraded the status of James Harden (thigh) for Monday while downgrading Clint Capela (heel). Russell Westbrook (rest) is out.
There was good news and bad news for the Rockets in Monday’s injury report preceding Houston’s game later in the day at Utah.
The positive development is that the playing status of superstar guard James Harden, who had previously been listed as doubtful for Monday’s game, was upgraded to questionable. Harden is dealing with a left thigh bruise after a collision during Friday’s game in Minnesota.
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Harden leads the NBA with a historic average of 36.1 points per game, and the Rockets could certainly use Monday that with backcourt co-star Russell Westbrook out for maintenance. Westbrook played Sunday in Denver and is scheduled to sit out one game of all back-to-backs this season as part of his recovery from offseason knee surgery.
Reserve guard Eric Gordon will presumably start in Westbrook’s place.
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The bad news, however, is that center Clint Capela is now doubtful for Monday with a right heel contusion. Capela has had on-again, off-again issues with that heel since late December, and head coach Mike D’Antoni said in early January that back-to-backs were tough on him.
Rockets center Clint Capela is doubtful to play against the Jazz with a bruised right heel. James Harden (bruised thigh) upgraded to questionable.
In the 2019-20 season, Capela is averaging 14.2 points (62.8% shooting), 13.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game as Houston’s starting center. His per-game rebounding total ranks fourth in the league.
If Capela sits out, 21-year-old seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein would likely start in his place.
Final word on the status of Harden and Capela will likely come when D’Antoni meets with the media about 90 minutes before Monday night’s game, which tips off at 8 p.m. Central time.
On paper, it looks like an very challenging game for the Rockets (28-17), even if both players in question were to play. Houston will be without Westbrook and on night two of a road back-to-back at high altitude, while the Jazz (32-13) are rested and have won 19 of their last 21 games.
Previewing Monday’s Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Houston Rockets (28-17) will take on the Utah Jazz (32-13) Monday at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Rockets-Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Rockets at Jazz: Key injuries
Rockets
PG Russell Westbrook (rest) out
SG James Harden (thigh) doubtful
SF Gerald Green (foot) out
C Nene Hilario (groin) questionable
Jazz
PG Emmanuel Mudiay (ankle) probable
Rockets at Jazz: 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.
The Jazz (-909) are monster moneyline favorites at home as it’s likely that both Harden and Westbrook will miss this contest for the Rockets. Even if they were both to play, Houston is still in the midst of a slump as they’ve lost five of their last seven games. Pass on these low, chalky odds as a $10 bet would return a profit of just $1.10 if the Jazz win outright.
The JAZZ (-12.5, -110) open this contest as double-digit favorites over the Rockets (+12.5, -110) and it still doesn’t feel like enough points. Utah has won nine of its last 10 games and is starting to make its case as one of the best teams in the NBA. The Jazz have gone 13-2-1 against the spread in their last 16 games and have a fully healthy roster. Look for them to cover the spread once again.
The total for this Western Conference matchup is set at 224.5 points, but that feels far too high considering the top two scorers on the Rockets likely won’t suit up for this contest. Utah also has the No. 4 scoring defense in the NBA and it seems likely they will keep the depleted Rockets under 100 Monday night. Take the UNDER 224.5 (-121) in this contest.
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Previewing Saturday’s Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Dallas Mavericks (28-16) visits Salt Lake City to play the Utah Jazz (31-13) in the Vivint Smart Home Arena at 5:00 p.m. ET. We analyze Mavericks-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Mavericks at Jazz: Key injuries
MAVERICKS
PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
SG Ryan Broekhoff (knee) out
Mavericks at Jazz: 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 12:00 p.m. ET.
Both squads are playing top-notch basketball at the moment. The Jazz have won 18 of their last 20 games to play themselves into second place in the Western Conference standings, and the Mavericks won five out their previous six games. But the Jazz have won seven straight against the Mavericks at home and I don’t see that streak ending on Saturday. PASS ON A MONEYLINE wager though because we aren’t laying $176 to win $100 if the Jazz win outright.
Let’s back the red-hot Jazz -3.5 (-115) because os their scorching recent performance. Everything is clicking for them at the moment, and now that Mike Conley is back in the lineup they are one of the healthiest teams in the NBA. At home, the Jazz are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven as home favorites and their 17-3 home record is tops in the West. And Utah has dominated Dallas since drafting Donovan Mitchell; the Jazz are 6-1 in games Mitchell plays and he’s scored 20 or more points in five of those. The Jazz also don’t mind working on the weekends; Utah is 7-0 in Saturday games this year.
Additionally, according to bookmakers’ standards the Mavericks have been inconsistent as of late:Dallas is 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win. Home favorites laying 0-4.5 points are 13-8 ATS in games officiated by the crew assigned to Mavericks-Jazz and the Jazz 4-2 ATS when favored 3-4.5 points.
The over/under trends in Mavericks-Jazz point to BETTING OVER 225.5 (-106). Overs are 11-9 in games at Utah and the Mavericks have a 12-7 over/under record on the road. Furthermore, offenses have shown up to play recently in this matchup as the Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings. These teams have been putting up a ton of points since the turn of the year—the Mavericks-Jazz are scoring a combined 238.6 points per game in January.
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