Jazz vs. Mavericks Pick
Can the Utah Jazz take care of business on the road against the Dallas Mavericks when the two meet at 8:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Jazz are favored on the road tonight, as they are getting odds of -6 points against the Mavericks. The over/under total for the game is listed at 187 points. Utah has won three of its last four against Dallas, including both meetings this season. Each team has covered the spread once this season.
Utah has won four straight coming into tonight to get to 27-16 on the season. The Jazz are just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games, though, and are now 20-22-1 against the spread this season. Utah has the best defense in the league, allowing just 94.9 points per game this season. On the road, Utah is allowing just 97 points per game. Offensively, Utah is putting up 99.2 points per game. Gordon Hayward is averaging 22 points and 5.8 rebounds per game to lead Utah. Second-leading scorer, George Hill, is probable to play tonight despite an ankle injury. Rodney Hood, the team’s third-leading scorer is out until February with a knee injury.
Dallas had a three-game win streak snapped at Miami last night in a 99-95 loss. The Mavs are now 14-28 overall and 20-22 against the spread. Dallas averages just 95.7 points per game on offense this season, while the defense is giving up 100.4 points per contest. Harrison Barnes has been leading the team with 20.5 points per game while Wesley Matthews is adding 15.1 points per contest. Dirk Nowitzki is questionable to play tonight because of an ankle injury. Nowitzki is putting up 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
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Dallas has been playing somewhat well, but Utah is a team that doesn’t get enough credit. The Jazz have been a really steady team all season and they should have no problem coming into Dallas and covering this spread. Their defense will be able to limit the few Dallas scoring options while Hayward is able to carve his way through Dallas’ defense.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: UTAH JAZZ -6