The Utah Jazz (5-6) take on the Boston Celtics (7-4) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 9, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 209 points with Utah set as a 3-point favorite.
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz Betting Prediction
The Celtics come in on a high note after beating the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 116-109, as 1.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (225) finished over the projected point total of 210.5. The Celtics had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.9 (above their season average of 20.6) and had a free throw rate of 0.247 (above their season average of 0.163). With 39 points on 13-for-28 shooting, Kyrie Irving was the top scorer from either team.
The last time the Jazz played, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 117-102, covering as 10-point favorites. The combined points for the game (219) were over the O/U total of 214. Utah’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Dallas. The Jazz had a rate of 9.9 (better than their season average of 13.3), while the Mavericks posted a mark of 20.9 (above their season average of 14.1). With 17 points and 10 rebounds, Utah’s Rudy Gobert had a good performance.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Utah ranks 22nd in possessions per game (101.8) and Boston is 26th (101.6).
Boston is 7-4 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (4-6 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Celtics’ 10 games that accepted bets, six have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 5-6 SU and 5-6 ATS. Contrary to Boston, games featuring the Jazz have typically finished over the projected point total (72.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Irving (22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals) has been great for the Celtics while Jae Crowder (16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds) has made solid contributions to the Jazz.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, the Celtics won 97-94. Boston launched 21 three pointers, making 12 of them (57.1 percent), while Utah was 9-33 (27.3 percent).
Celtics vs. Jazz Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.9) while Boston ranks 23rd (47.6).
Utah ranks second in assists allowed per game (21.2) while Boston ranks fourth (21.6).
The Celtics are fourth in the NBA with 11.4 fast break points allowed per game while the Jazz are fifth with 11.5 fast break points allowed per game.
Boston is 2-4 ATS on the road, while Utah is 2-3 ATS at home.
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Utah is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 3.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.4 points per game (3.9 above their season average).
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