The Houston Rockets (46-13) travel to Vivint Smart Home Arena to challenge the Utah Jazz (31-29). The Rockets will attempt to extend their 12-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 211 points with Houston set as a 2.5-point favorite. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018, and it can be seen on ATTSN Southwest.
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets in their last matchup, 119-114. James Harden was the top scorer from either team with 41 points on 11-for-20 shooting. Houston dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.338 (above their season average of 0.241) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.4 (above their season average of 21.5). For those same stats, Denver put up marks of 0.176 and 27.9, respectively.
In the Jazz’s last matchup, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 97-90. Utah received a boost from Donovan Mitchell, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 8-for-20 shooting. Utah played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.235 (above their season average of 0.197) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.8 (below their season average of 20.6). Dallas recorded marks of 0.145 and 12.5, respectively, for those same stats.
It could be a tough game for Utah on the offensive glass. The Jazz are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 24th in offensive rebounding percentage at 20.6 percent. Meanwhile, Houston ranks third in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 80.8 percent. Furthermore, the second-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 114.2) will square off against the fifth-ranked defense of the Jazz (defensive efficiency of 104.0).
Of Houston’s 58 games that accepted bets, 30 have finished under the projected point total, while 31 of Utah’s 60 games have finished under the projected point total. The Rockets have the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (46-13 vs. 31-29), but both teams are near the .500 mark against the spread (ATS).
Mitchell has taken his game to another level as of late for Utah, averaging 24.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the last five games.
These two teams have already met three times this year, with the Rockets winning all three. In the most recent contest, Clint Capela put up 24 points and 19 rebounds and the Rockets defeated the Jazz 120-99, covering as 12-point favorites. The two teams combined to score 219 points, which was just 3 points above the projected point total of 216 points. The Rockets dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.299 and a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8. For those same stats, the Jazz were 0.077 and 11.1, respectively.
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz ATS Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (42.6) while the Jazz rank 15th (29.2).
- Houston ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (41.3) while Utah ranks 10th (42.2).
- Utah ranks third in assists allowed per game (20.4) while Houston ranks 16th (23.2).
- Houston is 17-11 ATS on the road with 16 unders, 11 overs and 1 push.
- Utah is 16-13 ATS at home with 18 unders and 11 overs.
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Houston is 20-2 and Utah is 20-4.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Jazz are 25-11 and the Rockets are 45-10.
- The Rockets rank seventh in points off turnovers per game (17.6) while the Jazz rank 16th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.3).
- Utah ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.1) while Houston ranks 28th (48.0).
- The Rockets rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Jazz rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- The Jazz rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while the Rockets rank 11th (11.6).
- Utah ranks third in fast break points allowed per game (9.6) while Houston ranks 20th (12.2).
Bettings Trends:
- Utah is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.8, up from 1.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 113.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.4 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
