Washington Wizards (12-20) vs. Utah Jazz (18-16)
December 22, 2022 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Utah Jazz -6.5; Over/Under: +229
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Wizards invade the Vivint Arena to take on the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
The Washington Wizards have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 13 of their last 15 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum in this one after putting a halt to a 10-game skid with a 113-110 road win over the Suns on Tuesday. Kyle Kuzma led the team with 29 points, six rebounds and six assists, Bradley Beal added 27 points with six rebounds and six assists while Deni Avdija chipped in with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Wizards shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 27 from the 3-point line as they held the Suns to just 18 points in the second quarter to take a 17-point lead, before they rallied back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to pull off the impressive comeback.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last seven games, but they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Pistons in a 126-111 road win on Tuesday. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 38 points on 13 of 20 shooting, Jordan Clarkson added 21 points with six assists while Malik Beasley chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Jazz shot 50 percent from the field and a sizzling 20 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 31 points in the first quarter to take the lead and they just didn’t take their foot off the gas in a game where they led by as many as 22 points.
Looking at the betting trends, the Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record and 4-12-2 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The Jazz are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a win of more than 10 points and 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a losing record.
Head to head, the over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings overall, the Wizards are 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings overall and the Wizards are 3-0-1 ATS in the last four meetings in Utah.
The Wizards are keeping an eye on Kristaps Porzingis who is listed as questionable with an illness for this one, while the Jazz will be sweating on the availability of Collin Sexton. The Wizards were absolutely ice-cold before their impressive comeback win over the Suns, while the Jazz were struggling before beating the Pistons in their last outing. You couldn’t back either team with much confidence these days, but the Wizards are only 4-12-2 ATS in their last 18 games overall, so I’ll stick with the Jazz who have won three of their last four home games.
