The last NBA clash in 2020 will see the Phoenix Suns square off against the Utah Jazz on New Year’s Eve, so I bring you the best betting pick and tips for this Western Conference showdown at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
Both teams opened the season on the right foot and are legitimate playoff contenders, so Thursday’s game will show us who’s playing in a better form at the moment. The Jazz are slight 3.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with a total of 218.5 points.
The Suns aim for their second straight road win
The Phoenix Suns are 3-1 on the season following a strong performance and a 111-86 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. After beating the Sacramento Kings by 13 points on the road, the Suns dismantled the Pels, leading by as many as 40 points.
They shot 19-for-47 from beyond the arc while allowing the Pelicans to make just three of their 24 attempts from deep. The Suns took good care of the ball once again, committing 12 turnovers while forcing 18 in a return. Phoenix is third in the league with only 12.8 turnovers per game.
The Suns score 110.9 points per 100 possessions (14th in the league), and six different guys average points in double figures. Chris Paul’s addition was a huge boost for the Suns’ offense, as the 35-year-old playmaker is handing out 9.5 assists a night. On the other side of the ball, the Suns allow just 100.2 points per 100 possessions (4th).
The Jazz earned a big win against OKC
The Utah Jazz improved to 2-1 on the season with a 110-109 road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. They failed to cover a 9-point spread, but the Jazz are certainly happy that Donovan Mitchell managed to hit the winning basket with seven seconds left on the clock.
Mitchell went 8-for-23 from the field and only 2-for-10 from beyond the 3-point line, finishing with 20 points and five assists. Mike Conley had a big game, accounting for 20 points, 10 boards, and nine assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points including five triples.
Through their first three showings, the Jazz averaged 112.8 points per 100 possessions, enough for the eighth-most in the NBA. They surrender 107.6 points in a return (13th in the league) on just 43.7% shooting from the field (4th).
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”nba/jazz” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]Trends:
Phoenix:
- N/A
Utah:
- 5-2 ATS in the last seven games against Phoenix
The Winner Prediction
The Jazz have struggled to cover lately, going 1-6 ATS in their last seven outings and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games on the home court. On the other side, the Suns are 11-1 ATS in the last 12 games overall and 5-1 ATS in their previous six road contests.
Despite the betting trends, I’m backing the Jazz to win and cover. Rudy Gobert will be all over Deandre Ayton, while Utah’s backcourt can play some aggressive defense on Chris Paul and Devin Booker. The Jazz can force the Suns into some turnovers, and Phoenix hasn’t shot the ball particularly well thus far.
Pick: Take Utah Jazz -3.5 at -110
The Total:
With the line at 218.5 points, it’s hard to say what’s the better choice here. The under has hit in the Suns’ last five outings and three of Utah’s previous four showings, so I would follow the betting trends.
Furthermore, both teams have played good defense so far and neither side prefers fast-paced basketball. The Suns average just 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes (28th in the league), while the Jazz record 100.7 (20th). The under is 6-2 in the last eight matchups between Phoenix and Utah.
Pick: Go under 218.5 points at -110