The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz duke it out at the Delta Center on Sunday 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 continued their historic run with 22 wins from their first 23 games and they will be looking to build on their current 14-game win streak after blowing past the Mavericks in a 132-111 win on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 33 points and six assists on 10 of 12 shooting, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each scored 15 points while Cason Wallace chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Thunder shot a healthy 56 percent from the field and 12 of 30 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest with a 16-5 run in the second quarter. Before they exploded for 41 points in the third quarter to push the margin out to 32 points at one stage.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have shown signs of improvement recently as they’ve won three of their past five games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back after getting humbled by the Knicks in a 146-112 road defeat on Friday. Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George led the team with 18 points each while Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier each scored 13 points. As a team, the Jazz shot just 40 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they got off to a nightmare start. They were in deep trouble early after allowing the Knicks to open the game on a 23-0 run, before they allowed 47 points in the third quarter to trail by as many as 41 points.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Thunder have lost four of their last six games as road favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Jazz have won five of their last eight games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 home games following a loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 40 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have lost 17 of their last 18 games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last five night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last six road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Ten of the Jazz’s last 11 night games have gone OVER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Lauri Markkanen ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made per game (3.0) this season.
- Keyonte George ranks 9th amongst qualified players for FT% (90.4%) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Chet Holmgren is the only player to have made 9+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 29th in the league for opponent points per game this season (125.6).
- The Jazz rank 29th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.5).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (107.1).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+15.6).
Jazz vs Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are going to be shorthanded here with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe all out, while the Jazz have ruled out Georges Niang and Walker Kessler once again. The Thunder still open as double-digit favorites on the road despite missing a long list of players which isn’t surprising, and I would still back them if they were playing at home where they are still undefeated. However, the Jazz are a young team who really thrive off the energy of their home crowd and they could pull off the upset if they get off to a flyer. The Thunder probably keep their win streak alive with a comfortable win, but I think the Jazz can keep this one somewhat close in the end.