The Utah Jazz (14-16), 5.5-point underdogs, will travel to the Toyota Center to clash against the Houston Rockets (14-14). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 214.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets ATS Odds
In the Rockets’ last game, they covered the 4.5-point spread against the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-97. The Jazz, on the other hand, were defeated by the Orlando Magic, 96-89, and were unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. The Houston game hit the projected point total of 202, while the Utah game went 22 points under the projected point total of 207.
Houston played a flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.301 (above their season average of 0.208) and a turnover percentage of 12.5 (better than their season average of 12.6). Memphis was 0.160 and 14.5, respectively, for those same stats. Utah, on the other hand, forced Orlando into a turnover percentage of 21.4 (above their season average of 11.8). James Harden played well for Houston, registering 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to his second triple-double this season. Meanwhile, Derrick Favors was a key piece for Utah with 21 points and eight rebounds.
In their two contests this year, the Jazz have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 209 points, which was under the projected point total of 215. Utah won 118-91, covering as a 1-point favorite. The Jazz’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Rockets. Utah had a rate of 10.6, while Houston posted a mark of 19.4. Favors recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Of the Jazz’s 30 games, 17 have gone over the O/U total. Utah comes into the game with records of 14-16 straight up (SU) and 14-16 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Rockets’ 28 games, 15 have finished over the O/U total. Further, Houston owns records of 14-14 SU and 12-16 ATS.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Houston ranks 28th in possessions per game (98.5) and Utah is 23rd (101.1). Additionally, the Jazz are among the league’s elite at getting to the line, ranking fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.224). The Rockets, meanhwile, rank 26th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.230.
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank 23 in rebounds per game (43.13333333333333) while the Rockets rank 26 (40.857142857142854).
- Utah ranks fourth in steals per game (9.0) while Houston ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- The Jazz rank 13th in points in the paint per game (48.7) while the Rockets rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.3).
- Houston ranks 15th in fast break points per game (12.3) while Utah ranks 26th (10.0).
- Utah ranks 10 in points off turnovers per game (17.866666666666667) while Houston ranks 18 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.428571428571427).
- The Jazz rank fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.5) while the Rockets rank 17th (13.8).
- The Rockets rank 1 in three pointers attempted per game (41.285714285714285) while the Jazz rank 11 (31.666666666666668).
- Utah ranks 14th in assists per game (24.3) while Houston ranks 27th (21.3).
- Houston is 5-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Utah is 6-3.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Jazz and Rockets are both 12-8.
- Utah is 8-11 ATS on the road, while Houston is 6-6 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the Rockets’ 12 home games, while 10 of the Jazz’s 19 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Rockets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Jazz are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Houston has 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push, while Utah has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Rockets have scored an equal number of points as their opponents. On the season, Houston has lost by an average of 0.2 points.
- During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.6 points per game (6.0 below their season average).
