The Golden State Warriors (40-10), the leagues top scoring team, will meet the Utah Jazz (21-28) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 217.5 points with Golden State opening as a 7-point favorite. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz ATS Preview
The last time the Warriors played, they beat the Boston Celtics, 109-105. Stephen Curry was the games leading scorer with 49 points on 16-for-24 shooting. The Warriors made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 10.3 (better than their season average of 13.9).
The Jazz hope to maintain momentum after topping the Toronto Raptors in their last game, 97-93. Utah’s Rudy Gobert was a key piece with 18 points and 15 rebounds. The Jazz made 15 of their 21 free throws (71.4 percent) and held the Raptors to an effective field goal percentage of 0.426 (below their season average of 0.531).
The inefficient offense of Utah (21st in the league with an offensive efficiency of 104.4) will face off against the stingy defense of Golden State (fifth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 104.1). The Warriors should have the edge on that end of the court. It could also be a mistake-prone game for the offense of the Warriors, which ranks 25th in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.9 percent). They’ll be going up against the top-notch defense of the Jazz, which forces the fourth-most turnovers in the NBA (15.5 percent).
Of Golden State’s 50 games, 27 have finished over the O/U total, while 26 of Utah’s 49 games have finished under the O/U total. The Warriors hold the significant advantage straight up (SU) (40-10 vs. 21-28), but the Jazz have the superior against the spread (ATS) record (25-24 vs. 21-27-2).
Gobert has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Utah, averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined for 227 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 203.5. The Warriors won 126-101, covering as 11-point favorites. Golden State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.657 vs. 0.435). Utah, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (17.9 vs. 10.8). Kevin Durant was a top performer in the victory, with 21 points and six rebounds.
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Warriors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Warriors rank 27th (13.5).
- Golden State ranks first in blocks per game (7.9) while Utah ranks 14th (4.8).
- Utah ranks ninth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.4) while Golden State ranks 26th (47.0).
- Utah ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (29.7) while Golden State ranks 14th in three pointers allowed per game (28.9).
- Golden State is 12-13 ATS on the road, while Utah is 14-9 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 14 of the Warriors 25 road games, while 14 of the Jazz’s 23 home games have gone under.
- Golden State is 11-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Utah is 12-4.
- The Warriors are 37-7 when they score over 100 points, while the Jazz are 17-11.
- The Jazz average 17.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 12th in the league. The Warriors rank 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.3).
- Utah averages 9.1 steals per game, which ranks second in the league. Golden State ranks 28th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
- The Jazz rank third in fast break points allowed per game (9.4) while the Warriors rank 28th (13.8).
- The Warriors rank 12th in rebounds per game (44.2) while the Jazz rank 25th (41.2).
- Golden State ranks first in assists per game (30.6) while Utah ranks 24th (21.0).
Betting Trends:
- Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Golden State is 0-4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Jazz have outscored opponents by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Utah has been defeated by an average of 0.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 117.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.6 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
