A 10-game home winning streak is on the line for the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-8) when they welcome the Utah Jazz (14-15) to Quicken Loans Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 210 points with Cleveland opening as an 8.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, 2017, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
In the Jazz’s last contest, they defeated the Boston Celtics, 107-95. Ricky Rubio was Utah’s leading scorer with 22 points on 10-for-15 shooting. The Jazz held the Celtics to an offensive rebounding percentage of 4.2 (below their season average of 21.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.459 (below their season average of 0.519).
The Cavaliers will look to maintain momentum after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game, 121-112. Cleveland received a boost from LeBron James, who racked up 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. This gave him his third triple-double of the season. Cleveland dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.233 (above their season average of 0.223) and a turnover percentage of 12.6 (better than their season average of 13.3). Los Angeles put up marks of 0.095 and 15.1, respectively, for those same stats.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Cleveland (third in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 111.9) takes on the top-notch defense of Utah (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 102.2).
Of Utah’s 28 games that accepted bets, 14 have finished over the projected point total, while 16 of Cleveland’s 29 games have finished over the O/U total. The Cavaliers have the superior straight up (SU) record (21-8 vs. 14-15), but the Jazz hold the significant advantage against the spread (ATS) (15-13 vs. 10-18-1).
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Jazz, it’s been Donovan Mitchell, who has averaged 24.4 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals, while the Cavaliers have received great contributions from James (27.8 points, 10.6 assists, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals).
This is the first time these teams will battle this year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. In the most recent game, the Cavaliers won 91-83. The Cavaliers played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 9.6 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9. The Jazz were 15.4 and 19.6, respectively, for those same stats.
Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (3.9).
- Utah ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (8.3) while Cleveland ranks ninth (9.9).
- Utah ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.2) while Cleveland ranks 20th (45.3).
- Cleveland is 2-13-1 ATS at home, while Utah is 4-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 7 of the Jazz’s 12 road games, while 9 of the Cavaliers 16 home games have gone over.
- Utah is 9-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Cleveland is 9-0.
- The Jazz are 12-7 when they reach the century mark, while the Cavaliers are 21-6.
- The Jazz average 18.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 15th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.6).
- Utah ranks second in assists allowed per game (18.8) while Cleveland ranks 28th (25.3).
- The Jazz rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.1) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (32.1).
- The Cavaliers rank 22nd in rebounds per game (41.9) while the Jazz rank 26th (40.8).
- Utah ranks third in steals per game (9.4) while Cleveland ranks 22nd (7.0).
Bettings Trends:
- Cleveland is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Utah is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Cavaliers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.4, up from 3.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 100.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
