The Utah Jazz (33-30) go head-to-head against the Orlando Magic (20-43) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018, and will air on Fox SportsNet Florida.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 206.5 points with Utah opening as a 9.5-point favorite.
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz Free Prediction
The Magic will be looking for a similar outcome after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in their last game, 107-100. Orlando was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Magic made 27 of their 33 free throws (81.8 percent), while the Grizzlies were just 18-26 (69.2 percent). Nikola Vucevic had a good game for Orlando, putting up 19 points and six rebounds.
In the Jazz’s last game, they were victorious over the Sacramento Kings, 98-91. The Jazz had a free throw rate of 0.232 (above their season average of 0.200) and held the Kings to an effective field goal percentage of 0.433 (below their season average of 0.507). With 16 points and 12 rebounds, Utah’s Rudy Gobert had a good performance.
Second-chance points might be few and far between for Orlando in this contest. The Magic rank 25th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.2 percent), while Utah ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.8 percent).
Orlando heads into the game with records of 20-43 straight up (SU) and 29-32-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Magic’s 63 games, 35 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 33-30 SU and 32-31 ATS. Jazz games also have a slight tendency to finish under the total (52.4 percent).
Gobert has averaged 17.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over the last five games for Utah.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Derrick Favors recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds and the Jazz beat the Magic 125-85, covering as 6-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 210 points, which was just 3 points above the projected point total of 207 points. The Jazz had a much better turnover percentage (8.6 vs. 14.9) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 21.6).
Orlando Magic vs. Utah Jazz Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Orlando is 17-14-1 ATS with 16 overs and 16 unders.
At home, Utah is 17-14 ATS with 19 unders and 12 overs.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Utah is 21-5 and Orlando is 9-3.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Jazz are 26-11 and the Magic are 20-26.
Utah ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.3) while Orlando ranks last (49.2).
The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (20.1) while the Magic rank 26th (24.6).
Utah ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while Orlando ranks 22nd (13.1).
The Jazz rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while the Magic rank 26th (45.4).
Utah ranks third in fast break points allowed per game (9.7) while Orlando ranks 20th (12.3).
The Jazz rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Magic rank 19th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
Utah ranks 14th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while Orlando ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
The Jazz average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Magic rank 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Orlando is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Utah is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 4.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 95.4 points per game (7.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 97.0 points per game (4.3 below their season average).
