The Utah Jazz (12-13) will be 2-point favorites at home in Vivint Smart Home Arena when they clash against the Houston Rockets (11-12). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 217 points and it can be seen on TNT at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 6, 2018.
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz Betting Odds
The Jazz come in on a high note after easily covering the 7.5-point spread against the San Antonio Spurs in their last game, 139-105. The Rockets, on the other hand, were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 103-91, and were not able to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Utah game finished 28.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Houston game finished 29 points under the projected point total of 223.
Utah dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.202 (below their season average of 0.226) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.726 (above their season average of 0.520). San Antonio put up marks of 0.111 and 0.528, respectively, for those same stats. Houston, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.507 vs. 0.506). Rudy Gobert played well for Utah with 18 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden led the way for Houston, putting up 29 points and eight assists.
In their first matchup this year, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz to a 100-89 victory. He scored a game-high 38 points. The two teams combined to put up 189 points, which was well under the projected point total of 217, and Utah covered as a 1-point favorite. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Utah’s largest advantages. They had 28 free throw attempts, while Houston had just 14.
Of the Rockets’ 23 games, 14 have finished over the projected point total. Houston holds records of 11-12 straight up (SU) and 9-14 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Houston, games featuring the Jazz also have typically gone over the total (64.0 percent). Additionally, Utah is 12-13 SU and 12-13 ATS.
Harden has taken his game to another level as of late for Houston, averaging 34 points,12.0 assists,7.2 rebounds,2.2 steals over the last five games.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Utah currently ranks 23rd in possessions per game (101.3) and Houston is 28th (99.2).
Rockets at Jazz Odds Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank 23 in rebounds per game (42.8) while the Rockets rank 28 (41.04347826086956).
- Utah ranks sixth in steals per game (8.7) while Houston ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- The Jazz rank 14th in assists per game (24.1) while the Rockets rank 26th (21.5).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.3) while Utah ranks 12th (32.0).
- Houston ranks 5 in blocks per game (6.043478260869565) while Utah ranks 14 (5.4).
- The Jazz rank 10th in points in the paint per game (48.8) while the Rockets rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.2).
- The Rockets rank 17 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.217391304347824) while the Jazz rank 27 (19.04).
- Houston ranks 16th in fast break points per game (12.5) while Utah ranks 28th (10.0).
- Houston and Utah are both 4-2 when they allow less than 100 points.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Jazz are 10-7 and the Rockets are 9-7.
- Utah is 4-5 ATS at home, while Houston is 5-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 7 of the Rockets’ 13 road games, while 8 of the Jazz’s 9 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Jazz are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Utah has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Houston has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Jazz have outscored opponents by an average of 3.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Utah has lost by an average of 0.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 117.4 points per game (8.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.2 points per game (5.7 above their season average).
