The Utah Jazz (8-8) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top shooting defense when they meet the Indiana Pacers (10-6) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 19, 2018.
Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
The Jazz come in on a high note after topping the Boston Celtics in their last matchup, 98-86, as 4-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (184) were well under the projected point total of 207. One of Utah’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They had 27 free throw attempts, seven more than Boston. Utah rallied around Donovan Mitchell, who was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 10-for-21 shooting.
In the Pacers’ previous game, they beat the Atlanta Hawks, 97-89, but were unable to cover as 11.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (186) came in well under the projected point total of 219. Indiana won the rebounding battle. The Pacers had 11 offensive rebounds and 54 total rebounds, while the Hawks had five and 41, respectively. With nine points, 16 rebounds and six assists, Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis played well.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Jazz won the most recent game 104-84. Utah had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.581 vs. 0.403). Indiana, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 18.4).
Utah holds records of 8-8 straight up (SU) and 8-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Jazz are involved, as 10 of their 16 games have ended over the O/U total.
Indiana has a solid 10-6 SU record, but they have a hard time covering the spread (7-8-1 ATS). Contrary to Utah, games including the Pacers have typically finished under the projected point total (62.5 percent).
Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic have been playing well over the last five games for Indiana. Sabonis has averaged 15 points,9.6 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Bogdanovic has put up 15 points,1.8 steals a game during that span.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Indiana currently ranks 27th in possessions per game (100.2) and Utah is 23rd (101.4). Additionally, the 21st-ranked offense of the Jazz (offensive efficiency of 105.3) will face a difficult test against the second-ranked defense of the Pacers (defensive efficiency of 101.8).
Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers Free Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 5-5 ATS with 5 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Indiana is 4-4 ATS with 7 unders and 1 over.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Indiana is 4-1 and Utah is 3-1.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Pacers are 8-2 and the Jazz are 6-5.
Utah ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (28.4) while Indiana ranks 25th (33.4).
The Pacers rank fifth in steals per game (8.9) while the Jazz rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.6).
Indiana averages 20.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Utah ranks 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.3).
The Pacers rank ninth in fast break points per game (14.9) while the Jazz rank 27th (10.9).
Utah ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while Indiana ranks 19th (5.9).
The Pacers rank 1 in points allowed in the paint per game (39.5) while the Jazz rank 16 (47.875).
Indiana allows the 2-fewest second chance points per game (10.75) while Utah ranks 5 (11.5).
The Jazz rank 4 in assists allowed per game (21.75) while the Pacers rank 6 (22.1875).
Utah ranks 24 in rebounds per game (42.375) while Indiana ranks 25 (41.5625).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 1.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 100.6 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
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