The Utah Jazz (41-22) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they go head-to-head with the Toronto Raptors (45-18) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9, 2020, and will air on The Sports Network.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points with Utah opening as a 4-point favorite at Draftkings.
Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz Betting Prediction
Although the Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings in their last game, 118-113, they were not able to cover as 9-point favorites. The game’s total points (231) were just over the projected point total of 228.5. The Raptors, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.535, had a great mark of 0.591 and had a turnover percentage of 8.7 (better than their season average of 12.2). Kyle Lowry had a good game for Toronto, recording 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
In the Jazz’s last game, they beat the Detroit Pistons, 111-105, but were not able to cover as 8-point favorites. The combined points for the game (216) finished over the O/U total of 210.5. The Jazz made 21 of their 28 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.584 (above their season average of 0.553). Bojan Bogdanovic was the game’s top scorer with 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 35 points and the Raptors defeated the Jazz 130-110, covering as 2-point favorites. He also had five rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 240 points, which was 32 points above the projected point total of 208 points. Toronto was lights out from beyond the arc (19-36; 52.8 percent). Utah, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.4 vs. 16.3).
Toronto comes into the contest with records of 45-18 straight up (SU) and 33-28-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Raptors games, with 33 overs compared to 28 unders.
Meanwhile, Utah is 41-22 SU and 29-31-3 ATS. A little over half of Jazz games have also finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Norman Powell (24 points,1.6 steals) has been great for the Raptors while Mike Conley (18 points,5.2 assists) has contributed greatly to the Jazz.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a balanced game. The upper-echelon Utah offense ranks second in the NBA in that metric at 0.553, while the top-notch Toronto defense is ranked third in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.502). Furthermore, the Raptors rank 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (21.4 percent), while the Jazz rank fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.2 percent).
Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz Pick
Free NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Toronto is 15-14-1 ATS with 15 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
At home, Utah is 13-15-2 ATS with 16 overs and 14 unders.
Each team is strong when holding the opposition to less than 100 points, as Toronto is 14-4 and Utah is 13-2.
The Jazz are 39-16 when they reach 100 points, while the Raptors are 43-10.
Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while Utah ranks last (13.9).
The Raptors rank second in steals per game (8.8) while the Jazz rank 29th (5.8).
Utah ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while Toronto ranks 28th (38.4).
The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (21.1) while the Raptors rank 26th (25.6).
Toronto ranks first in fast break points per game (19.5) while Utah ranks 25th (10.6).
The Jazz rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (42.4) while the Raptors rank 26th (46.5).
Utah ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (12.0) while Toronto ranks 26th (14.0).
The Raptors rank 17th in blocks per game (5.0) while the Jazz rank 28th (4.0).
Toronto ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.2) while Utah ranks 11th (46.5).
In its last five contests, Toronto is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Utah is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 6.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 115.4 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (1.0 below their season average).