Utah Jazz (7-25) vs. Miami Heat (17-15)
January 4, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -7.5; Over/Under: +224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah Jazz and Miami Heat meet Saturday in NBA action at the Kaseya Center. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Pick.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz lost to the Nuggets and Knicks, and they play the Magic, Hawks, and Heat next. The Utah Jazz are averaging 110.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 119.6 points on 48.2 percent shooting. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 19.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, while John Collins is averaging 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds. Collin Sexton is the third double-digit scorer and Keyonte George is dishing 5.7 assists. The Utah Jazz are shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Utah Jazz are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.8 rebounds per game.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat beat the Pelicans, lost to the Pacers, and they play the Kings, Warriors, and Jazz next. The Miami Heat are averaging 112.8 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 109.8 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 24 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler is averaging 18.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 14 night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Heat have won each of their last 12 games as home favorites following a home loss.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last six games as home favorites following a home loss.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Heat’s last five games.
- The Heat have lost four of their last six games as favorites.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as underdogs against the Heat.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 home games against Northwest Division opponents.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Tyler Herro ranks T4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.9) this season.
- Bam Adebayo ranks 7th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (9.8) this season.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Walker Kessler ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.7) this season.
- Lauri Markkanen ranks 2nd amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made Per Game (2.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.5).
- The Heat rank T29th in the league for Q1 win percentage this season (31.3%).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.8).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.4).
Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Prediction
The Miami Heat should win this game comfortably, and kind of have to if they’re going to be a playoff team. The Jazz aren’t good, to put it nicely. The Jazz don’t play defense, and they’ve lost 8 of their last 10 games. However, the Jazz have also seen 5 of their 7 wins come on the road. Also, the Heat have a reputation for playing to their level of competition. It’s not a surprise to see the underdog cover 6 of the last 7 games between the Heat and Jazz. We also have the Jimmy Butler saga that’s gotten crazy over the last 24 hours. Who knows how that’s going to impact the locker room, not to mention you’re removing an All-Star off the court. I’ll grab the points with the Jazz.
