The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-3) will attempt to extend the series when they challenge the Utah Jazz (3-1) at Chesapeake Energy Arena in game five of the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The game begins at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 207.5 points with Oklahoma City set as a 3.5-point favorite.
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Free Prediction
Mitchell scored a game-high 33 points in game four, in which the Jazz beat the Thunder 113-96, covering as 5-point favorites. He also had seven rebounds. The game finished with a total of 209 points, which was just 1.5 points above the projected point total of 207.5 points. The Jazz had a better turnover percentage (9.7 vs. 12.6) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.516 vs. 0.423).
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the league’s top rebounding teams go head-to-head. The Thunder rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.3 percent), while Utah ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.9 percent). Also, the Jazz rank 24th in turnover percentage (14.5 percent), while the Thunder rank first in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.3 percent).
Utah holds records of 51-35 straight up (SU) and 46-40 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is exceedingly accurate when predicting totals of Jazz games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 49-37 SU and 34-50-2 ATS. Much like Utah, a little over half of Thunder games have finished under the total.
Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio have played at a high level over the last five games for Utah. Mitchell has averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Rubio has put up 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.2 steals a game during that span.
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah is 22-21 ATS on the road with 24 overs, 18 unders and 1 push.
At home, Oklahoma City is 16-25-2 ATS with 24 unders and 19 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Utah is 36-7 and Oklahoma City is 22-5.
The Jazz are 42-13 when they score more than 100 points, while the Thunder are 45-19.
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 (26.2) while the Thunder rank 24th (30.6).
Oklahoma City ranks first in second chance points per game (14.9) 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 NBA. Utah ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.8).
The Thunder rank fifth in rebounds per game (45.0) while the Jazz rank 18th (43.5).
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.8) 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 10th (43.7).
Utah ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.1) while Oklahoma City ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 4.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.2 points per game (7.5 above their season average).
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