The Utah Jazz (6-1) travel to the “Big Peach” Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off with the Atlanta Hawks (4-4) at State Farm Arena. Below, we look at the Jazz vs. Hawks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Utah rallied back from a first-half deficit in its last game to beat the Sacramento Kings 119-113 Tuesday. However, the Jazz failed to cover as 9.5-point home favorites. Utah is 5-2 against the spread (ATS) and 2-5 Over/Under (O/U).
Atlanta has lost three of its last four games including 117-108 at the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday as a 4.5-point underdog. Atlanta ranks 20th or worse in defensive efficiency and effective field goal shooting (eFG%) and is 3-5 ATS and 4-4 O/U.
The Jazz hammered the Hawks by 20-plus points in both regular-season meetings last year. Utah guard Donovan Mitchell balled in both games and the Jazz shut down Atlanta’s Trae Young in his one appearance against Utah.
Jazz at Hawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Hawks +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jazz -2.5 (-110) | Hawks +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Jazz at Hawks key injuries
Jazz
- C Hassan Whiteside (ankle) probable
- SG Donovan Mitchell (ankle) questionable
- PF Royce O’Neal (ankle) questionable
- PF Rudy Gay (heel) out
Hawks
- C Onyeka Okongwu (shoulder) out
- PF John Collins (foot) questionable
Jazz at Hawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Jazz 106, Hawks 98
Money line
“LEAN” to the JAZZ (-140) because at the moment we don’t know who’s suiting up for Utah Thursday. If Mitchell is out there, then I’d upgrade the Jazz’s money line to a “like”, but if he misses the game it becomes a pass.
However, Utah has the second-best net rating in the Association and clubbed Atlanta twice last season. So not only are the Jazz more locked-in currently, but Utah also matches up really well against Atlanta.
Against the spread
PASS because I can only “lean” towards Utah’s money line and won’t lay it with the Jazz -2.5 (-110).
For what it’s worth, there’s been a “sharp line move” to Utah. This game opened at a pick ’em but the Jazz have been steamed up by the market to a favorite.
Over/Under
TAKE the UNDER 219.5 (-108) for 1 unit as my best bet in the Jazz-Hawks game for several reasons.
First of all, there’s a “line freeze” in the betting market as more than 90% of the cash is on the Over but the total hasn’t budged from the opener according to Pregame.com at the time of writing.
The Hawks are 21st in eFG% and 23rd in offensive FT/FGA while the Jazz are first in defensive eFG% and defensive FT/FGA. There’s a good chance Utah stifles Atlanta.
Conversely, the Jazz attempt the most off-the-dribble 3-pointers but the Hawks have the best defensive efficiency vs. off-the-dribble 3-pointers (according to ShotQuality.com). Plus Atlanta big Clint Capela is an elite rim protector that’s going to make it difficult for Utah to execute lobs to Gobert.
Atlanta plays at the 26th-fastest pace in the NBA and has the sixth-best turnover rate whereas Utah has the worst defensive turnover rate. So the Hawks will be able to run their inefficient offense.
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