The Utah Jazz (13-11) visit Oklahoma City to play the Thunder (10-12) in a game that has the potential to be low-scoring. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and will air on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma.
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Prediction
The last time the Jazz played, they blew out the Washington Wizards, 116-69. Utah launched 34 three pointers, making 16 of them (47.1 percent), while Washington was just 4-20 (20.0 percent). Utah rallied around Alec Burks, who was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
The Thunder barely escaped the San Antonio Spurs in their last matchup, 90-87. Oklahoma City had an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.6 (above their season average of 25.6). San Antonio, on the other hand, did an excellent job of making free throws (17-23; 73.9 percent). With 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Russell Westbrook led the way for Oklahoma City with his sixth triple-double this year.
The ineffective offense of Oklahoma City (22nd in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 103.4) will face off against the elite defense of Utah (fifth in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 101.4). The Jazz figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Utah comes into the game with records of 13-11 straight up (SU) and 13-10 against the spread (ATS). Of the Jazz’s 23 games with betting action, 11 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 10-12 SU and 7-14-1 ATS. Thunder games have a tendency to go under the O/U total (63.6 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Donovan Mitchell (21.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Jazz while Westbrook (28.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 3.0 steals) has contributed greatly to the Thunder.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 13 rebounds and the Jazz beat the Thunder 96-87, covering as 4-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 183 points, which was 17 points below the projected point total of 200 points. Utah had a better effective field goal percentage (0.552 vs. 0.481). Oklahoma City, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (16.4 vs. 17.8).
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 3-6 ATS with 5 overs, 3 unders and 1 push.
At home, Oklahoma City is 5-5-1 ATS with 7 unders and 4 overs.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Oklahoma City is 8-4 and Utah is 8-2.
When reaching the century mark, the Jazz are 11-4 and the Thunder are 8-5.
Oklahoma City ranks sixth in fast break points per game (13.9) while Utah ranks 25th (8.5).
The Thunder rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Jazz rank 23rd (10.6).
Utah ranks second in steals per game (9.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
The Thunder average 20.5 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Jazz rank 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.8).
Utah ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
The Thunder rank 16th in rebounds per game (42.8) while the Jazz rank 25th (40.8).
Utah ranks second in assists allowed per game (18.4) while Oklahoma City ranks seventh (21.2).
The Jazz average 30.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Thunder rank 16th in three pointers allowed per game (29.0).
Oklahoma City is 26th in the NBA with 40.7 points in the paint per game while Utah is 27th with 40.7 points in the paint per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 22.8, up from 5.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 97.6 points per game (4.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.2 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
