The Utah Jazz (18-39) and Houston Rockets (34-21) meet Monday at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Jazz vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Utah won 133-125 as an 11.5-point underdog in Salt Lake City in the most recent meeting on Dec. 1 as the Over (235.5) cashed. In the first meeting, the Rockets pounded the Jazz 129-101, also in SLC, as Houston covered as 12-point favorites as the Under (233.5) cashed.
The Jazz lost 123-114 as a 2.5-point underdog Friday, although G Isaiah Collier had 24 points, while C Kyle Filipowski added 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Utah is just 2-4 straight up (SU) in the past 6 games, although it is 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 8 outings. The Over has a slight 4-3 edge in the previous 7 games.
The Rockets lost 108-106 on the road against the New York Knicks Saturday, though they covered as 3.5-point underdogs as the Under (220.5) cashed again. F Kevin Durant led the way with 30 points, while G Tari Eason had 11 points and 12 rebounds to double-double, while G Amen Thompson also posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the losing effort.
Houston has dropped 2 of the past 3 games, and it is just 1-3 ATS as the Under is 4-0 in that 4-game span. The Under is also 21-4 in the past 25 outings.
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Jazz at Rockets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jazz +575 (bet $100 to win $575) | Rockets -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Jazz +13.5 (-115) | Rockets -13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Jazz at Rockets key injuries
Jazz
- G Keyonte George (ankle) questionable
- C Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
- C Walker Kessler (shoulder) out
- F Lauri Markkanen (illness) probable
- C Jusuf Nurkic (nose) out
Rockets
- C Steven Adams (ankle) out
- F Jae’Sean Tate (knee) out
- G Fred VanVleet (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Jazz at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 118, Jazz 101
The Rockets (-900) will cost you 9 times your potential return, and there is never a reason to risk that much on a single play. Even as part of a multi-leg parlay, that’s too much risk and not enough reward, sucking the value out of your overall ticket.
PASS.
The ROCKETS -13.5 (-105) are worth playing lightly, but don’t get carried away.
The thinking here is that the Jazz will be rather soft in the middle with no Nurkic. It’s uncertain if Markkanen will be able to go, and George has been strong lately, and he is also nicked up. For Utah to cover, it needs all hands on deck.
The UNDER 228.5 (-105) might be the best play on the board.
Regardless of what Utah has been doing, the trends for Houston all point to the Under. The total has gone low in a whopping 21 of the past 25 games. Keep riding that Under wave with the Rockets until it crashes.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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