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This Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets free pick was courtesy of PreGame.com.
Bet on this game at Hollywood Sports Book
The Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz tonight in a Western Conference battle. Houston is trying to end their season with a winning record, while the Jazz are fighting for the #2 seed in the West. The Jazz are listed as 5.5 favorites, with a total of 214 points tonight. ESPN will televise the game at 8:00 EDT.
Houston is still fighting hard to finish the season with a winning record. In a season that started with low expectations, finishing the season with a winning record would be an achievement for this Rockets squad. With a completely new lineup, the Rockets are still learning to play together. The Rockets are back home after completing a 4 game road trip that saw them go 2-2 both SU and ATS. Houston beat the Grizzlies last night in convincing fashion to complete the season sweep of Memphis. Houston has really struggled of late defensively, allowing each of their past 5 opponents to score at least 103 PTS. Houston is 39-38 SU and 34-43 ATS overall this season. The Rockets are 21-17 SU and 16-22 ATS in home games this season. The Rockets are 18-20 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Houston is also 1-2 ATS as a home underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS this year. The Rockets are a paltry 12-18 ATS in the 2nd half of the season. Guards Kevin Martin and Aaron
Brooks are carrying this squad, as they combine for more than 40 PPG since becoming teammates. Houston will have revenge on their minds, as they lost to the Jazz by 23 PTS in their last meeting.
The Rockets are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games playing on no days rest. The over is 4-0 in the Rockets last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. Forward Shane Battier is out for the season with a knee injury. Center David Andersen is listed as doubtful tonight with a bad back.
Utah has had an amazing 2nd half of the season, as they have surged up the Western Conference playoff standings. The Jazz have won 7 of their past 9 games SU, and currently stand at 51-27 SU this season. Utah is currently alone in 2nd place in the Western Conference, a half game ahead of 3 other teams. The Jazz have been sensational in the 2nd half of the regular season, going 20-10 ATS. The Jazz are 19-19 SU and 21-16-1 ATS in road contests this season. The Jazz have excelled in the small road favorite role, going 6-2 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 PTS this season. The Jazz have been an offensive powerhouse of late, scoring 100 PTS or more in 18 of their past 20 games. Utah is averaging more than 104 PPG as a team, the 4th highest average in the NBA. Utah is led by the dominating duo of PG Deron Williams and F Carlos Boozer. Williams averages 18.4 PPG and a team high 10.6 APG which is the 2nd most APG in the entire NBA. Boozer
leads the Jazz with 19.6 PPG and 11.3 RPG this season. Both players are having All-NBA caliber seasons.
The Jazz are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games playing on no days rest. The under is 4-1 in the Jazz last 5 road games. Forward Andrei Kirilenko is out with an injured calf.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 113-109 in favor of the Utah Jazz. The Over 214 is the Total of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
