UTAH -5 over New Orleans
The New Orleans Hornets start on a SEVEN-game road trip when they travel to Utah to take on the Jazz at Delta Center this evening. The Los Angeles Clippers just ended New Orleans' home perfection on Tuesday with a 94-90 victory. The Jazz had their three-game winning streak snapped by the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, losing 110-101.
New Orleans' home streak began with a win over the Jazz to open the season, and we expect Utah to get some measure of revenge for that 25-point defeat. At home looking to avenge a road loss to a Eastern Conference foe, they are 6-1 ATS; however, it's more than "revenge" that has us liking the Jazz here. They continue to be one of the season's pleasant surprises, playing very well, especially as of late. They have been very strong at home this season, going 8-1 ATS as a home favorite, including beating the spread their last 7 in a row. Meanwhile, the Hornets have not played well away from home, doing 1-5 ATS as road dog. They have dropped six straight at Utah and certainly won't find it any easier this evening.
Other numbers indicate the Jazz should come out fired up tonight. Over the past 2 seasons they are a perfect 5-0 ATS at home off a road loss that snapped a winning streak of at least 3 games, beating on the spread by an average of 11 points a game. The Hornets have been a disastrous 0-6 ATS, losing to the number by 10 points a game, on the road vs. such an opponent. Look for Utah to get back on track here, and with the Hornets playing the Lakers in LA tomorrow night, they will likely call off the dogs late in the 4th when they are down by double digits so Baron Davis and crew can rest up for their meeting with the champs.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: UTAH 98 NEW ORLEANS 88