The Utah Jazz (40-30) challenge the Atlanta Hawks (20-50) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz have won nine consecutive games, while the Hawks are on a six-game losing streak. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 208 points with Utah opening as a 13.5-point favorite.
Atlanta Hawks at Utah Jazz ATS Prediction
In the Hawks’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks, 122-117. Milwaukee’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Atlanta. The Bucks had a rate of 10.7 (better than their season average of 12.6), while the Hawks posted a mark of 16.3. Taurean Prince was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points on 13-for-26 shooting.
The Jazz were victorious over the Sacramento Kings in their last contest, 103-97. Utah made good use of their 38 trips to the charity stripe, making 31 of them (81.6 percent). Sacramento, meanwhile, was just 9-14 (64.3 percent). With 22 points and 13 rebounds, Utah’s Rudy Gobert put together a solid outing.
It could be a sloppy game for the Utah offense. Utah ranks 22nd in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.5 percent), while the gambling defense of Atlanta forces the second-most turnovers in the league (15.1 percent). Also, the Hawks’ 26th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 103.9) will face a difficult challenge against the Jazz’s second-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 102.2).
Atlanta holds records of 20-50 straight up (SU) and 34-34-2 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for Hawks games in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Utah owns records of 40-30 SU and 38-32 ATS. Similarly to Atlanta, just over half of Jazz games have finished under the projected point total.
Gobert and Joe Ingles have been playing well over the last five games for Utah. Gobert has averaged 17.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Ingles has recorded 16.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Prince had 17 points and the Hawks, who were 2.5-point underdogs, defeated the Jazz 104-90. The game finished with a total of 194 points, which was 10.5 points below the projected point total of 204.5 points. Atlanta had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.8 vs. 17.1). Utah, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (20-28; 71.4 percent).
Atlanta Hawks at Utah Jazz Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Atlanta is 16-15-2 ATS with 19 unders and 14 overs.
Utah is 20-15 ATS at home with 22 unders and 13 overs.
Utah is 28-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Atlanta is 9-4.
The Hawks are 18-29 when they score above 100 points, while the Jazz are 31-11.
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.9) while Atlanta ranks last (26.1).
The Jazz rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Hawks rank 28th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
Utah ranks third in fast break points allowed per game (9.9) while Atlanta ranks 24th (13.2).
The Jazz rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.5) while the Hawks rank 22nd (30.3).
Utah ranks second in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while Atlanta ranks 20th (13.0).
The Hawks rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Jazz rank 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.4).
Utah ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while Atlanta ranks 18th (43.7).
The Jazz average 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 12th in the league. The Hawks rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
Utah ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.7) while Atlanta ranks 14th (44.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Atlanta is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Utah is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.2, up from 5.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (4.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 88.2 points per game (11.6 below their season average).
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