The Washington Wizards will host a meeting against the Utah Jazz at the Verizon Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 18 and will air on RT and WA2.
The Wizards are expecting a different result after their 99-92 loss to the Bucks in their last matchup. Bradley Beal was the team’s high scorer with 19 points. The Jazz, meanwhile, are coming off a 100-96 loss to the Pelicans in their last outing. Derrick Favors had a game-high 29 points.
Beal and John Wall have played at a high level over the last five games for the Wizards. During that stretch, Beal has averaged 21.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers, while Wall has recorded 25.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.8 three-pointers a game. Rudy Gobert has been on fire for the Jazz. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 13.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.2 blocks.
The Wizards come into this game 23-28 Straight Up (SU) and 26-24-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 23-28 SU and 26-24-1 ATS versus the Western Conference. The Wizards are an incredibly accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .362 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA. Washington’s defense has been shutting down opposing offenses over the past 10 games, only allowing an average of 91.0 points per game, well under their season average of 105.4.
On the other side, Utah has a SU record of 26-26 and an ATS record of 27-24-1. Against the Eastern Conference, Utah is 26-26 SU and 27-24-1 ATS. The Jazz have shown improvement on the offensive end over the most recent 10 game stretch. Over that span, Utah is averaging 104.8 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 97.8. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Jazz on the defensive end. They allowed 111.8 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 96.4.
This is the first meeting of the season for the Wizards and the Jazz. The last time they played Washington came out on top, taking the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. They are also even ATS in their last 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Uta
Notes
“Washington is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games “.
“Washington is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home”.
“Washington is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 6 games when playing Utah”.
“Washington is 4-12-2 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Utah”.
“Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Utah”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 7 games when playing at home against Utah”.
Utah’s offense and Washington’s defense are well matched, ranking 26th in points per game and points allowed per game respectively. Utah puts up an average of 97.8 points per game, while Washington gives up 105.4 points per game.
Washington ranks 28th in points allowed per home game (105.7 PPG), while Utah ranks 23rd in points per away game with 97.4.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Jazz are 24-7 on the season. When the Wizards score fewer than 100, they are an abysmal 3-16.
The Utah Jazz have a subpar 2-19 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Washington Wizards are 20-12 when they hit the century mark.
The Wizards have a defensive rating of 105.8 (ranked 21st), while the Jazz rank ninth for their offensive rating of 104.3.
Washington has an average field goal percentage of 45.7%. Utah is an underachieving 4-20 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the Washington Wizards attempt 24.0 three point field goals per game and the Utah Jazz attempt 23.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Washington has a split 12-12 record, while Utah is 10-12.
Washington has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.72 this season (ranked 10th), while Utah ranks lower at 28th with an A/TO of 1.33.
Washington ranks 30th in rebounds per game with 39.8, while Utah ranks 21st with 42.6 per game.
The Utah Jazz rank eighth in offensive rebounding, while the Washington Wizards rank 28th in defensive rebounding.
Washington is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.0% (ranked third). Utah has a 9-12 record SU when its TOV% reaches 16.0% or greater.
