The Utah Jazz (3-2) will try to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals when they square off with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2-3) at Vivint Smart Home Arena in game six of the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The game gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 27, 2018.
Utah is a 6-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 206 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz ATS Prediction
In game five, Westbrook scored a game-high 45 points and the Thunder defeated the Jazz 107-99, covering as 2-point favorites. He also had 15 rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 206 points, which was just 1.5 points below the projected point total of 207.5 points. Oklahoma City had a much better turnover percentage (7.4 vs. 14.8). Utah, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (21.3 vs. 16.3).
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Utah. Utah ranks 24th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.5 percent), while the gambling defense of Oklahoma City forces the most turnovers in the NBA (15.3 percent). Moreover, the Thunder, who rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.1 percent), will square off against the Jazz, who rank third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.9 percent).
Oklahoma City comes into the contest with records of 50-37 straight up (SU) and 35-50-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Thunder’s 87 games, 48 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Utah owns records of 51-36 SU and 46-41 ATS. Games featuring the Jazz also have finished under the O/U total 50.6 percent of the time.
Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio have played well over the last five games for Utah. Mitchell has averaged 25.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Rubio has put up 18.2 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game during that span.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz Free Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 18-25 ATS on the road with 23 unders and 20 overs.
Utah is 24-19 ATS at home with 25 unders and 18 overs.
Utah is 36-7 when they allow less than 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 23-5.
The Jazz are 42-13 when they score above 100 points, while the Thunder are 46-19.
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.1) while Utah ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
The Jazz rank third in three pointers allowed per game (26.1) while the Thunder rank 25th (30.7).
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 averages 18.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. Utah ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9).
The Thunder rank fifth in rebounds per game (44.9) while the Jazz rank 18th (43.5).
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.7) while Oklahoma City ranks 13th (23.2).
The Jazz rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.6) while the Thunder rank seventh (43.5).
Utah ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.1) while Oklahoma City ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Thunder have been outscored by an average of 4.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Oklahoma City has defeated opponents by an average of 3.0 points.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 107.4 points per game (3.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.2 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
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