A trip to the Western Conference Semifinals will be on the line when the Oklahoma City Thunder (2-4) square off against the Utah Jazz (4-2) at Chesapeake Energy Arena in game seven of the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The game gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 29, 2018.
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
In game six, the Thunder lost 96-91. Westbrook scored a game-high 46 points and also had 10 rebounds and five assists. Utah had a better free throw rate (0.148 vs. 0.075). Oklahoma City, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 vs. 24.4).
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 are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage at 27.2 percent. Meanwhile, Utah ranks fourth in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 79.8 percent. Ball protection could be troublesome for the Jazz. They rank 24th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.5 percent), while the Thunder force the most turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.3 percent).
Donovan Mitchell has averaged 26.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Utah.
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 23-6 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Utah is 37-7.
When reaching the century mark, the Thunder are 46-19 and the Jazz are 42-13.
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 Jazz rank third in three pointers allowed per game (26.2) while the Thunder rank 24th (30.6).
Oklahoma City ranks first in second chance points per game (15.0) while Utah ranks 22nd (11.5).
The Thunder rank fourth in fast break points per game (15.1) while the Jazz rank 22nd (10.3).
Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (18.8) while Utah ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.8).
The Thunder rank fifth in rebounds per game (45.0) while the Jazz rank 18th (43.5).
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.7) while Oklahoma City ranks 13th (23.1).
The Jazz rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.6) while the Thunder rank seventh (43.5).
Utah averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Oklahoma City ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.8, up from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 98.2 points per game (9.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
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