The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) take on the Utah Jazz (0-1) at Chesapeake Energy Arena in game two of the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The game can be seen on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 206.5 points with Oklahoma City opening as a 4-point favorite.
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Prediction
In game one, the Jazz lost 116-108, unable to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. Mitchell recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 224 points, which was 19 points above the projected point total of 205 points. The Thunder made 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (21.4 vs. 19.6).
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NBA’s top rebounding teams go head-to-head. The Thunder currently rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.6 percent), while Utah ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.8 percent). Also, the Jazz rank 24th in turnover percentage (14.5 percent), while the Thunder rank first in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.3 percent).
Utah comes into the game with records of 48-35 straight up (SU) and 43-40 against the spread (ATS). Of the Jazz’s 83 games, 42 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 49-34 SU and 34-47-2 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total high when the Thunder are involved, as 55.4 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total.
Donovan Mitchell has averaged 22.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Utah.
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 21-21 ATS with 24 overs, 17 unders and 1 push.
At home, Oklahoma City is 16-24-2 ATS with 23 unders and 19 overs.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Utah is 34-7 and Oklahoma City is 22-5.
The Thunder are 45-18 when they score more than 100 points, while the Jazz are 39-13.
Oklahoma City averages 9.0 steals per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Utah ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
The Thunder rank first in second chance points per game (15.1) while the Jazz rank 23rd (11.3).
Utah ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (26.0) while Oklahoma City ranks 24th (30.5).
The Thunder rank third in fast break points per game (15.3) while the Jazz rank 22nd (10.3).
Oklahoma City averages 18.6 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. Utah ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.5).
The Thunder rank fifth in rebounds per game (45.1) while the Jazz rank 19th (43.2).
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.9) while Oklahoma City ranks 13th (23.2).
The Jazz rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.7) while the Thunder rank eighth (43.6).
Utah averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Oklahoma City ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 4.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 116.6 points per game (8.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.4 points per game (2.9 above their season average).
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