Miami Heat (18-17) vs. Utah Jazz (9-26)
January 9, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Utah Jazz +5.5; Over/Under: 222.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah Jazz play host to the Miami Heat at the Delta Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat haven’t been at their best as they’ve lost four of their last seven games overall but they will be eager to build some momentum after blowing past the Warriors in a 114-98 road win on Tuesday. Nikola Vucevic led the team with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists off the bench, Bam Adebayo added 19 points with nine rebounds and five assists while Jaime Jacquez Jr chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Heat shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 40 from the 3-point line as they withstood an early barrage from the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and took a 13-point lead into halftime before they finished with a flurry in the fourth quarter to earn the much-needed win to snap a three-game slide.
Utah Jazz
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a real funk lately as they’ve lost six of their last eight games overall. The Jazz will be hoping to bounce back after coming up just short to the Hawks in a heartbreaking 124-121 home defeat on Tuesday. Lauri Markkanen drained eight 3-pointers to lead the team with 35 points on 11 of 21 shooting, Collin Sexton added 24 points while Walker Kessler chipped in with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. As a team, the Jazz shot 41 percent from the field and 19 of 48 from the 3-point line as they fought hard to rally back from a 16-point deficit. The Jazz got their hearts broken thanks to a ridiculous half-court heave at the buzzer to snatch the game away.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Jazz have won each of their last five games as home underdogs against the Heat.
- The Heat have lost each of their last four games as road favorites following a win.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Heat.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Jazz teams that held a losing record.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last eight games at Delta Center.
- The Heat have won each of their last eight Thursday games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The road team has covered the spread in five of the last six games between the Heat and Jazz.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six home games against teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last six night games between the Heat and Jazz has gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Heat’s last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Jazz vs Heat Prediction
The Heat are still shorthanded with Kevin Love and Josh Richardson still out, while the Jazz are still missing Jordan Clarkson and John Collins with Brice Sensabaugh listed as questionable. The Heat have been struggling for consistency lately, but they will be growing in confidence after smashing the Warriors in their last game. The Jazz might still be in shock after suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Hawks in their last outing. These teams last met on Saturday and it was the Jazz who romped to a 136-100 road win, so I am looking at the Heat to return the favor and avenge that loss in this spot.
