The Utah Jazz play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Delta Center on Friday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 15 of their first 16 games of the season. They are now aiming for an eighth straight victory after running past the slumping Kings in a 113-99 home win on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 33 points and eight rebounds on 12 of 24 shooting, Chet Holmgren added 21 points on 10 of 15 shooting while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 14 points.
As a team, the Thunder shot 47 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line. However, this win was more about their defense as they didn’t really get any separation until the third quarter where they limited the Kings to just 19 points. Ajay Mitchell was the only bench player in double figures as he finished with 13 points while Alex Caruso had a quiet game of just two points on one of seven shooting.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have yet to really get going this season as they’ve lost nine of their first 14 games. They will be hoping for a better result after getting trampled by the Lakers in a 140-126 road defeat on Tuesday. Keyonte George led the team with 34 points and eight assists on 13 of 23 shooting, Lauri Markkanen added 31 points on 12 of 21 shooting while Svi Mykhailiuk and Ace Bailey each scored 13 points.
As a team, the Jazz shot 52 percent from the field and 13 of 45 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 71 points in the first half to take the early lead. But they couldn’t maintain that pace and got outscored by 73-55 in the second half as they had no answer for the Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves who combined for 63 points.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Thunder have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Jazz have won four of their last five games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last seven home games following a loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Northwest Division opponents.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 36 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six Friday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven home games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Jazz’s last nine home games against the Thunder following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Thunder’s last eight games as favorites against the Jazz have gone OVER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Lauri Markkanen has scored 30+ points in four consecutive appearances – longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Keyonte George ranks 7th amongst qualified players for FT% (93.1%) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have scored 30+ points in five straight games this season.
- Chet Holmgren is the only player to have made 9+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.9).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (15.5).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (105.9).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+15.4).
Jazz vs Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are still banged up with Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams, Aaron Wiggins and Nikola Topic all out, while the Jazz have ruled out Georges Niang with Kyle Filipowski listed as questionable for this one. Unsurprisingly, the Thunder have opened as massive favorites once again, but it’s completely justified given that all seven wins during their current steak has been by at least 13 points. You might be biting your nails in the final possession, but I think the Thunder take care of business early and cruise to another big win in this one.