The Utah Jazz (18-26) clash with the New York Knicks (20-25) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 19, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 204.5 points with Utah opening as a 4-point favorite.
New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz Free Prediction
The Knicks are hoping for a better outcome after their 105-99 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in their last contest. Memphis’ 10.0 turnover percentage was their largest strength over New York, who had a mark of 13.2. The Grizzlies’ mark was better than their season average of 13.0. Kristaps Porzingis was New York’s high scorer with 21 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
In the Jazz’s last matchup, they were victorious over the Sacramento Kings, 120-105. Utah’s 10.0 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Sacramento, who had a mark of 19.0. The Jazz’s mark was better than their season average of 13.2, while the Kings’ was above their season average of 12.9. Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer from either team with 34 points on 14-for-19 shooting.
It could be an error-filled game for the New York offense. New York ranks 25th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.1 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Utah forces the fourth-most turnovers in the NBA (15.7 percent).
New York heads into the game with records of 20-25 straight up (SU) and 23-22 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Knicks games, with 23 overs compared to 21 unders.
Meanwhile, Utah owns records of 18-26 SU and 22-22 ATS. Contrary to New York, games including the Jazz have a slight tendency to go under the projected point total (52.3 percent).
Mitchell has averaged 23.2 points and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Utah.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Tim Hardaway Jr. recorded 26 points, six rebounds and six assists in the first matchup, in which the Knicks beat the Jazz 106-101, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 207 points, which was just 5 points above the projected point total of 202 points. The Knicks had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 21.4) and had a better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 13.9).
New York Knicks at Utah Jazz Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
New York is 8-13 ATS on the road with 11 overs, 9 unders and 1 push.
Utah is 13-8 ATS at home with 14 unders and 7 overs.
New York is 9-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Utah is 10-4.
The Knicks are 19-13 when they reach the century mark, while the Jazz are 16-10.
Utah ranks second in steals per game (9.3) while New York ranks 25th (7.0).
The Knicks rank fourth in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Jazz rank 27th (10.3).
Utah ranks ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while New York ranks last (21.6).
The Knicks rank seventh in rebounds per game (44.8) while the Jazz rank 26th (40.5).
New York ranks third in blocks per game (5.4) while Utah ranks 14th (4.7).
The Jazz rank 13th in points off turnovers per game (17.2) while the Knicks rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.2).
Utah ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (20.2) while New York ranks 13th (22.6).
The Jazz rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (9.4) while the Knicks rank 10th (10.8).
New York is second in the league with 41.1 points allowed in the paint per game while Utah is fifth with 41.8 points allowed in the paint per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New York is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs.
Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.8, up from 0.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 102.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.0 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
