The Utah Jazz invade the Frost Bank Center to do battle with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. Here’s a Spurs vs Jazz Prediction. This article will include a Spurs vs Jazz Pick.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz have really been struggling lately, as they’ve lost six of their last nine games overall. But they will be feeling much better after they put a halt to a four-game slide with a 131-129 win over the Pistons last night. Keyonte George led the way with 31 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists on 12 of 22 shooting. Lauri Markkanen added 30 points on eight of 18 shooting, Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points off the bench, and Jusuf Nurkic chipped in with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Jazz shot 49 percent from the field and 18 of 38 from the 3-point line as they poured in 67 points in the first half to keep pace with the Pistons. Before they exploded for 44 points in the third quarter to take a 15-point lead, which was just enough to hold off a late rally from the Pistons.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs have been on a tear as they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games overall and they will be gunning for a sixth straight victory after routing the Thunder in a 117-102 road win on Christmas Day. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 29 points on 12 of 19 shooting, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembenyama each scored 19 points, while Harrison Barnes chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Spurs shot 54 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 41 points in the first quarter to take the early lead. However, this win was more about their defense, as they held the Thunder to just 39 percent shooting from the field and just 11 of 44 from the 3-point line. With the win, the Spurs improved to 23-7 on the season and have now beaten the Thunder three times already.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have lost six of their last seven road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in each of their last six home games.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Spurs have lost 14 of their last 16 home games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The road team has won four of the last five games between the Jazz and Spurs.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as favorites when playing with a rest advantage.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Jazz and Spurs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Jazz’s last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the last four night games between the Jazz and Spurs at Frost Bank Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Spurs vs Jazz Prediction
The Jazz are still missing Walker Kessler and Georges Niang, while the Spurs are keeping an eye on De’Aaron Fox, who is questionable with left adductor tightness. The Jazz really haven’t been playing well lately, which was why their win over the red-hot Pistons last night was so surprising, but the Spurs have been one of the most consistent teams over the past four weeks. They are obviously brimming with confidence after taking down the league-leading Thunder for the third time this season. The Jazz can get the cover if they play as well as they did last night, but they’ve struggled on the road this season, and I’m not surprised to see them as such heavy underdogs. I’m sure the Spurs win this one comfortably, but they are still watching Wembenyama’s minutes and opt to rest him if they have a big lead. So, I am actually backing the Jazz to hang around and get the backdoor cover at the end.