The Utah Jazz (25-25) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (22-25) on Wednesday night. Action tips off at 10:10 p.m. ET. Below we continue our NBA odds series with a Jazz-Blazers prediction, pick, and how to watch.
Utah has won two of its last three games and sits in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Jazz covered 56% of their games while 55% went over the projected point total. Portland has lost three of their last four games and sits in 12th place in the West. The Blazers covered 53% of their games while 56% went under. This will be the third of four meetings between the two teams. They've split the series 1-1 thus far with each visiting team picking up a five-point victory.
Here are the Jazz-Blazers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NBA Odds: Jazz-Blazers Odds
Utah Jazz: +3.5 (-106)
Portland Trail Blazers: -3.5 (-114)
Over: 240 (-110)
Under: 240 (-110)
How To Watch Jazz vs. Blazers
TV: ATTSN Rocky Mountain, Root Sports+
Stream: NBA League Pass
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Jazz Could Cover The Spread
Utah continues to be one of the better feel-good stories in the league this year and they have a great chance to cover tonight thanks to their prolific offense. The Jazz rank fourth in scoring (117.6 PPG) and utilize the three-ball to great effect. Utah ranks fourth in made threes per game (14.4) while shooting a solid 37%. Utah is also a strong rebounding team, ranking seventh in total rebounding (52.8 RPG).
If the Jazz want to cover as road underdogs, they'll need another strong performance from Lauri Markkanen. FanDuel's -130 favorite to win Most Improved Player, Markkanen has been incredible this season. He averages 24.8 PPG and 8.8 RPG – both of which lead the team. He's been incredibly efficient as a scorer, shooting 52% overall, 43% from three, and 87% from the free throw line. The 6'11” sharpshooter has been on an absolute tear since the turn of the calendar, averaging 28.9 PPG and 10 RPG in the month of January. Having scored 20+ in 16 consecutive games, expect Markkanen to have another big night against Portland's middle-of-the-pack defense.
While Lauri's huge year has gotten most of the spotlight, guard Jordan Clarkson is having a breakout season in his own right. Clarkson is averaging a career-high 21.1 PPG this season while shooting 45% overall. The journeyman guard has improved as a playmaker as well with a career-high 4.3 APG. Clarkson averaged 26 PPG in their two prior matchups with the Blazers and will likely see another big workload tonight.
The X-factor for Utah tonight is big man Walker Kessler. The rookie first-round pick had trouble cracking the rotation in the early part of the season but has taken on a much bigger role thanks to an injury to Kelly Olynyk. Over his last five games, Kessler averaged 12.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. Expect to see a lot of Kessler around the rim as he takes on a Portland team that ranks in the bottom 10 in points in the paint allowed and rebounding.
Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
Portland finds its season quickly slipping away from its grasp as they've fallen to 12th in a jam-packed Western Conference. That being said, the Blazers still sit in a nice position to cover tonight thanks to their strong perimeter play. Portland ranks in the top 10 in both threes per game (12.8) and three-point percentage (37%). While they struggle somewhat in the rebounding department and on defense, Portland features a dangerous “Big Three” that gives them a chance to cover on any given night.
Leading the way for Portland is star point guard Damian Lillard. Lillard continues to be one of the best offensive guards in the league, averaging 29.3 PPG and 7.4 APG. The 32-year-old drains four triples per night and is a constant threat to pull from anywhere past half-court. While he was held to just 13 points in his lone appearance against Utah this season, He's coming off a 37-point night on Monday and will likely come out firing tonight against Utah's 22nd-ranked defense.
For as good as Lillard has been this season, both Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant are viable threats on offense. Their improved play is what gives Portland the best chance to cover tonight as they do an excellent job playing off Dame. Simons averages 21.9 PPG while averaging 3.7 made threes per game. He's been the Jazz's kryptonite this season, averaging 34 PPG and 5.5 APG in their two prior matchups. As for Grant, the do-it-all forward averages 21.2 PPG and is shooting a career-best 43% from beyond the arc.
Final Jazz-Blazers Prediction & Pick
Utah continues to be undervalued and I expect them to continue their strong record against the spread tonight and keep things close.
Final Jazz-Blazers Prediction & Pick: Utah Jazz +3.5 (-106)
Follow Us
Subscribe