The Boston Celtics (51-23) visit Utah to take on the Jazz (42-32) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game can be seen on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 197 points with Utah set as a 6.5-point favorite.
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz Betting Prediction
The Celtics come in on a high note after beating the Phoenix Suns in their last outing, 102-94. One of Boston’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 14-14 (100.0 percent), while the Suns were just 10-19 (52.6 percent). Al Horford had a good game for Boston, contributing 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
In the Jazz’s last game, they dismantled the Golden State Warriors, 110-91. The Jazz made 14 of their 18 free throws (77.8 percent) and held the Warriors to an effective field goal percentage of 0.451 (below their season average of 0.575). With 17 points and 15 rebounds, Rudy Gobert had a solid game for Utah.
This meeting figures to be low-scoring as a pair of the league’s top defenses go head-to-head. Utah currently ranks second in defensive efficiency (102.4) and Boston is first (101.9). Furthermore, the Celtics, who rank 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (21.2 percent), could struggle to get second chance points against the Jazz, who rank fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.8 percent).
Boston comes into the contest with records of 51-23 straight up (SU) and 44-27-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Utah owns records of 42-32 SU and 39-35 ATS. Jazz games also have a slight tendency to finish under the total (52.7 percent).
Both teams have had a couple of players heat up over their last five games. For the Celtics it’s been Terry Rozier (18.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals) and Jayson Tatum (15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals), while Donovan Mitchell (27.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals) and Joe Ingles (15.6 points and 6.6 assists) have been stellar for the Jazz.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 33 points in the first game, in which the Celtics lost 107-95, unable to cover as 5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 202 points, which was just 5 points above the projected point total of 197 points. Utah had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.7 vs. 4.2). Boston, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 14.2).
Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz Odds Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 26-11 ATS with 19 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
Utah is 20-16 ATS at home with 23 unders and 13 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Utah is 29-6 and Boston is 33-4.
The Jazz are 33-12 when they reach the century mark, while the Celtics are 39-10.
Utah ranks third in steals per game (8.7) while Boston ranks 22nd (7.2).
The Jazz rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.9) while the Celtics rank 18th (43.8).
Utah ranks 13th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while Boston ranks 25th (14.9).
The Jazz rank 18th in points in the paint per game (43.8) while the Celtics rank 28th (39.0).
Boston ranks 17th in second chance points per game (12.0) while Utah ranks 26th (10.9).
The Jazz rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.4) while the Celtics rank ninth (27.2).
Utah allows the fewest assists per game (20.0) while Boston ranks fourth (20.8).
The Jazz are third in the league with 9.8 fast break points allowed per game while the Celtics are fourth with 10.3 fast break points allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Utah is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 4.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (5.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.6 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
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