The Utah Jazz (14-15), 5-point favorites, will square off against the Orlando Magic (13-15) at Mexico City Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 205.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
Utah Jazz vs. Orlando Magic ATS Odds
In the Jazz’s last matchup, they dismantled the Miami Heat, 111-84, comfortably covering as 8.5-point favorites. The Magic, meanwhile, defeated the Chicago Bulls,97-91, resulting in a push. The Utah game finished 16 points under the projected point total of 211, while the Orlando game went 24 points under the projected point total of 212.
Utah played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 21.8) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.632 (above their season average of 0.529). Miami was 4.3 and 0.455, respectively, for those same stats. Orlando, on the other hand, played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.0 (above their season average of 19.6) and a turnover percentage of 14.8 (worse than their season average of 11.7). Chicago was 2.9 and 18.4, respectively, for those same stats. Nikola Vucevic played a key role for Orlando with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Utah was led by Rudy Gobert, who recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Jazz dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last game, Utah won 94-80. Utah’s 0.562 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Orlando, who had a mark of 0.406. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Of the Jazz’s 29 games, 17 have finished over the total. Utah comes into the contest with records of 14-15 straight up (SU) and 14-15 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Utah, games including the Magic tend to go under the total (64.3 percent). Additionally, Orlando is 13-15 SU and 15-11-2 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Orlando ranks 27th in possessions per game (100.3) and Utah is 23rd (101.1).
Jazz vs. Magic Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank 5 in second chance points allowed per game (11.758620689655173) while the Magic rank 9 (12.357142857142858).
- Orlando ranks third in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Utah ranks 26th (8.9).
- The Jazz rank 12th in points in the paint per game (49.2) while the Magic rank 27th (42.2).
- Utah ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Orlando ranks 14th (4.9).
- Utah ranks 2 in assists allowed per game (21.655172413793103) while Orlando ranks 10 (23.464285714285715).
- The Jazz rank second in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while the Magic rank 21st (46.1).
- The Jazz rank 2 in three pointers allowed per game (27.03448275862069) while the Magic rank 10 (29.928571428571427).
- Utah ranks 3 in fast break points allowed per game (10.517241379310345) while Orlando ranks 7 (12.107142857142858).
- Orlando ranks eighth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.9) while Utah ranks 25th (18.6).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Utah is 6-2 and Orlando is 5-1.
- When reaching 100 points, the Magic are 10-6 and the Jazz are 12-8.
Bettings Trends:
- The Jazz are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Magic are 1-3-1.
- In their last five games, Utah has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Orlando has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.2, up from 0.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 97.2 points per game (7.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
