The Utah Jazz (38-30) go head-to-head with the Phoenix Suns (19-50) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz have won seven games in a row, while the Suns have lost their last six games. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Utah is a 12.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212.5 points.
Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz ATS Prediction
In the Suns’ last game, they were dismantled by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 129-107. Cleveland’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Phoenix. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.592 (above their season average of 0.545), while the Suns posted a mark of 0.418 (below their season average of 0.496). T.J. Warren was Phoenix’s high scorer with 19 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
The Jazz won big over the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 110-79. Utah’s 31.4 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Detroit, who had a rate of 16.3. The Jazz’s mark was above their season average of 20.9, while the Pistons’ was below their season average of 23.1. Rudy Gobert was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
Utah figures to have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. The Jazz rank eighth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.510), while Phoenix is 30th in effective field goal percentage (0.494). It will also be a matchup of opposite tempos as the up-tempo Suns rank third in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Jazz rank 28th.
Phoenix holds records of 19-50 straight up (SU) and 31-36-2 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Suns’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 38-30 SU and 37-31 ATS. Unlike Phoenix, a little over half of Jazz games have finished under the total.
Gobert and Joe Ingles have been playing well over the last five games for Utah. Gobert has averaged 16.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Ingles has put up 14.6 points, 5.8 assists and 1.6 steals a game during that span.
The Jazz have won two out of three against the Suns this season, including a 107-97 victory the last time these teams met. Utah was unable to cover as an 11-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 204 points, which was 8.5 points below the projected point total of 212.5 points. Utah’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Jazz had 14 offensive rebounds and 54 total rebounds, while the Suns had five and 41, respectively. Gobert recorded a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Phoenix is 19-15-1 ATS on the road with 17 overs, 17 unders and 1 push.
Utah is 19-14 ATS at home with 21 unders and 12 overs.
When allowing below 100 points, Phoenix is 6-2 and Utah is 26-5.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Suns are 15-31 and the Jazz are 29-11.
Utah ranks third in fast break points allowed per game (9.9) while Phoenix ranks 29th (14.8).
The Jazz rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while the Suns rank 29th (45.7).
Utah ranks fourth in steals per game (8.7) while Phoenix ranks 27th (6.9).
The Jazz rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while the Suns rank 25th (47.4).
Phoenix ranks seventh in second chance points per game (13.4) while Utah ranks 27th (10.5).
The Jazz rank 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while the Suns rank last (5.9).
Utah ranks 14th in points off turnovers per game (16.7) while Phoenix ranks 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (19.9) while the Suns rank 12th (22.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
Utah is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 16.0, up from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 103.8 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 84.0 points per game (16.0 below their season average).
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