By It will be a battle between Northwest Division opponents when the Utah Jazz (13-10) welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (10-12) to Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 9, 2019.
Utah is an 8.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212.5 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz ATS Prediction
The Thunder will be hoping for a similar result after topping the Portland Trail Blazers in their last matchup, 108-96, as 3.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (204) finished under the O/U total of 217. One of Oklahoma City’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 34 free throw attempts, while Portland had just 18. Oklahoma City was lifted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the team’s high scorer with 21 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
The last time the Jazz played, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 126-112, covering as 11.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (238) were well over the O/U total of 218. The Jazz, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.0, had a great mark of 28.1 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.681 (above their season average of 0.519). With 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Rudy Gobert had a good game for Utah.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 32 points and the Jazz beat the Thunder 100-95 but could not cover as 9-point favorites. He also recorded 12 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 195 points, which was 26.5 points below the projected point total of 221.5 points. The Jazz had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (21.2 vs. 15.6) and had a better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 11.9).
Oklahoma City heads into the contest with records of 10-12 straight up (SU) and 12-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Thunder’s 21 games that accepted bets, 12 have gone under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 13-10 SU and 9-14 ATS. Jazz games also have typically finished under the total (56.5 percent).
It could be a tough game for Oklahoma City on the offensive glass. The Thunder rank 30th in offensive rebounding percentage (18.9 percent), while Utah ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.9 percent).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Pick
Free NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Oklahoma City is 5-4 ATS with 5 unders and 4 overs.
Utah is 5-6 ATS at home with 6 overs and 5 unders.
When allowing less than 100 points, Utah is 6-1 and Oklahoma City is 4-2.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Thunder are 10-7 and the Jazz are 12-6.
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (11.9) while Utah ranks 22nd (14.2).
The Jazz rank 15th in rebounds per game (45.1) while the Thunder rank 25th (42.8).
Oklahoma City ranks 18th in steals per game (7.3) while Utah ranks 26th (6.1).
The Jazz rank 20th in three pointers attempted per game (31.3) while the Thunder rank 25th (29.6).
Oklahoma City averages 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. Utah ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
The Jazz rank second in assists allowed per game (21.0) while the Thunder rank fourth (22.5).
Utah ranks 25th in points off turnovers per game (15.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 26th (15.2).
The Thunder rank 26th in second chance points per game (10.5) while the Jazz rank 27th (10.0).
In its last five contests, Oklahoma City is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Utah is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 0.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (5.9 above their season average).
