The Utah Jazz (3-0) head to the Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets (1-3) Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Jazz vs. Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Jazz finally got going offensively as they scored 122 against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday and it could’ve been more had reigning MVP Nikola Jokic not been injured in the first half – he helped pace the Nuggets.
Seven players notched double-digit scoring for the Jazz, while no player topped 30 points in a full team effort. They come into this one as heavy favorites despite being on the road.
The Rockets have only defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder and have lost by ten points to the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks over the last week, although they covered the 10.5-point spread against Dallas. They’re primarily led by C Christian Wood and have also gotten a few big-time performances from rookie G Jalen Green.
This should actually be a good matchup for Houston as Wood’s length and the Rockets’ depth should give Utah some problems.
Jazz at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Rockets +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jazz -8.5 (-122) | Rockets +8.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Jazz at Rockets key injuries
Jazz
- SG Danuel House Jr. (right foot) out
Rockets
- SF Bojan Bogdanovic (non-COVID illness) questionable
- PF Eric Paschall (facial infection) questionable
Jazz at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Jazz 116, Rockets 109
Money line
PASS on the money line as the Jazz are too expensive for a team on the road while the Rockets likely aren’t likely to come out on top in this one, although I do expect it to be close.
Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS +8.5 (-122) as their quickness and athleticism in the backcourt should give Utah some problems.
Also aside from the trouble SG Kevin Porter Jr. and SF Jae’Sean Tate should give to SG Donovan Mitchell and PG Mike Conley defensively, we’ll get a battle of sixth men.
SG Eric Gordon vs. PG Jordan Clarkson may dictate this game, and I’m siding with Gordon. He’s averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting over 55 percent from 3-point range.
While the Jazz are a complete, well-coached team, Houston should be able to keep them off the glass. The Rockets are top five in defensive rebounding rate while the Jazz rank third in offensive rebounding rate.
That’s the game right there, and I’d side with HOUSTON +8.5 (-122). It’s a relatively high spread, and it’s just the better bet.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 220.5 (-110) as the Jazz are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA and the Rockets can match their pace. Houston ranks third in the league in PACE.
While the Jazz might be 23rd in PACE, they still have the fifth-best offensive rating. With Mitchell, Conley, SF Joe Ingles and Clarkson, the Jazz are an ultra-efficient offense.
These teams are 10th and 16th overall in points per game, combining for just over 221 points per game. Against each other, with the pace and offensive firepower, I expect the Over to hit.
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