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The NBA regular season is back in full swing and continues with games on Wednesday. The Utah Jazz will hit the road and take on the Houston Rockets. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Jazz-Rockets prediction and pick.
These two teams have had very different seasons so far. The Utah Jazz have had an impressive season and are coming off back to back wins over tough opponents. While the Houston Rockets have been extremely disappointing and haven't won a game in a month. This should be a lopsided match.
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Here are the Jazz-Rockets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Jazz-Rockets Odds
Utah Jazz: -14 (-110)
Houston Rockets: +14 (-110)
Over: 229.5 (-110)
Under: 229.5 (-110)
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Why The Jazz Could Cover The Spread
The Utah Jazz have been one of the more competitive teams in the league this season. While they have had some struggles, they have certainly come out on top. Through their first 60 games, they have a record of 38-22. Since the all-star break, they have faced two tough opponents in the Mavericks and the Suns but managed to score wins against both. Utah beat Dallas by five and most recently took down Phoenix by four. The Rockets are a significant downgrade in competition, and as long as Utah comes in ready, they should have no problem securing a third straight win.
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This Jazz team has been a third-quarter team. Utah has done a good job of playing their opponents close in the first half, but then really separating in the second half. Against the Mavericks, the Jazz outscored them 29-19 in the third quarter. Against the Suns, the Jazz outscored them 38-29. In both games, this proved to be the difference-maker. Utah's ability to take advantage of their opponents' missteps in the second half has proven to be extremely beneficial. If the Jazz can continue to play strongly throughout, then the Rockets should not provide much resistance.
The Jazz needed the all-star break. Prior to the break, Utah was dealing with injuries to key players. Now that they have had time to rest and recover, the Jazz are at near full health with only one player on their injury report. With Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert leading the way, this Jazz team looks poised to make a run this year. However, they can't underestimate their opponent. As long as Utah is ready for this game, it is theirs to lose.
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
The Houston Rockets have quite possibly been the worst team in the league. While they have had some surprising victories, for the most part they have been steamrolled by their opponents. Through their first 61 games, they have an abysmal record of 15-46. They have not looked competitive all season and their last win came on February 2nd. Their most recent defeat came against the LA Clippers by 13. The Rockets face a tougher opponent on Wednesday in the Utah Jazz. If Houston wants to come out on top they need to start playing like they want to win games. However, with little incentive to succeed, that seems a bit unlikely for this Rockets team.
The Rockets played a competitive first half against the Clippers. They actually went into the second half with a lead, however, that all came crumbling down in the third quarter. LA outscored them by 15 in the third, and then put them away in the fourth. The Jazz prey on teams that are vulnerable in the third quarter and Houston seems to be one of those teams. If the Rockets want to win on Wednesday they will need to play hard for four quarters. While they could keep this one close, especially if they're hitting their shots, the odds of them winning seem slim.
For the most part, this Rockets team is healthy. Houston currently has only three players listed on their injury report. Kevin Porter Jr. is the only player listed as day-to-day, with the other two players being marked as out. The Rockets have most of their roster available, and injuries haven't been the main concern for this team, rather they have just been underperforming. Houston seriously needs to step things up against an opponent like the Jazz.
Final Jazz-Rockets Prediction & Pick
There is no doubt that the Jazz are the better team here. However, this is by no means an easy pick. With such a widespread, the Rockets could end up playing them closer and covering instead of the Jazz. With that said, picking the Rockets to cover this season has almost always been a mistake. The last time these two teams faced off, the Jazz came out ahead by 34. Unless the Rockets are making most of their shots, this game should be a blowout. Pick the Jazz to win and cover.
FINAL JAZZ-ROCKETS Prediction & Pick: Utah Jazz -14 (-110)
FINAL JAZZ-ROCKETS SCORE PREDICTION: Jazz 125 – Rockets 109
