The Utah Jazz (20-21) will be 8.5-point favorites at home in Vivint Smart Home Arena when they go head-to-head with the Orlando Magic (17-23). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 206.5 points and action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz ATS Odds
Both teams failed to cover as underdogs in their last outing. The Magic (5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Sacramento Kings, 111-95, while the Jazz (5-point underdogs) fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, 114-102. The Orlando game finished 17 points under the projected point total of 223, while the Utah game went 7 points under the projected point total of 223.
Orlando did a terrific job of making free throws (18-24; 75.0 percent) while Utah had a better free throw rate (0.186 vs. 0.133). Rudy Gobert played well for Utah, finishing with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic was a key piece for Orlando with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Vucevic led the Magic to a 96-89 victory. He registered a double-double with 15 points and 19 rebounds. The two teams combined for 185 points, which was well under the projected point total of 207, and Orlando covered as a 6-point underdog. Orlando’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Utah. The Magic had a rate of 0.549 while the Jazz posted a mark of 0.354.
Of the Magic’s 40 games, 24 have gone under the total. Orlando comes into the game with records of 17-23 straight up (SU) and 19-19-2 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Orlando, games involving the Jazz have a slight tendency to finish over the total (51.2 percent). Additionally, Utah is 20-21 SU and 20-20-1 ATS.
Derrick Favors has taken his game to another level recently for Utah, averaging 12 points,7.2 rebounds,1.8 blocks over the last five games.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Utah currently ranks 22nd in possessions per game (101.4) and Orlando is 26th (100.1). Moreover, the 28th-ranked offense of the Magic (offensive efficiency of 103.1) will face a tough test against the fifth-ranked defense of the Jazz (defensive efficiency of 104.0).
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Magic average 5.5 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Jazz rank 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- Orlando ranks third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Utah ranks 26th (8.7).
- The Jazz rank 12th in points off turnovers per game (17.2) while the Magic rank 26th (14.9).
- Utah ranks third in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while Orlando ranks 10th (12.8).
- Utah ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (27.2) while Orlando ranks fifth (28.7).
- The Jazz rank third in rebounds allowed per game (42.5) while the Magic rank 24th (46.2).
- The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (21.0) while the Magic rank eighth (23.4).
- Utah is fourth in the NBA with 11.1 second chance points allowed per game while Orlando is fifth with 11.5 second chance points allowed per game.
- Utah ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (49.0) while Orlando ranks last (41.1).
- Utah is 10-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Orlando is 8-2.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Magic are 13-9 and the Jazz are 18-11.
- Utah is 9-7 ATS at home, while Orlando is 11-8-2 ATS on the road.
- The Magic have 14 unders and 7 overs in 21 road games.
- In 16 home games, the Jazz have 9 overs and 7 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Jazz are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Magic are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Utah has 4 overs and 1 under, while Orlando has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 114.8 points per game (6.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
- The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 4.0 for the season.
