The Utah Jazz are set to clash with the Houston Rockets on Monday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. This game comes as both teams look to improve their standings, with the Jazz holding a record of 18-39 and the Rockets at 34-21. The season series between these teams is currently tied 1-1, with Utah securing a 133-125 victory as an 11.5-point underdog in their last encounter on December 1.
In that recent matchup, both teams exceeded the expected total combined points, indicating a potential for high-scoring games. Conversely, Houston dominated their earlier meeting with a 129-101 victory in Salt Lake City, covering as 12-point favorites.
Utah is searching for momentum following a 123-114 loss to the New York Knicks, where Isaiah Collier shined with 24 points and Kyle Filipowski contributed significantly with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Although the Jazz have struggled lately, posting a 2-4 record in their last six games, they have fared well against the spread, going 6-2 in their last eight outings. Trends indicate an inclination towards the Over, which has hit in 4 of their past 7 games.
On the other hand, the Rockets are looking to bounce back from a narrow 108-106 defeat against the Knicks, where Kevin Durant led with 30 points. Despite recent losses, the Rockets have shown grit, covering the spread in three of their last four games. However, they have also observed a trend towards the Under in their games, with 21 of the last 25 resulting in low totals.
Current betting lines show the Jazz at +575 on the moneyline and +13.5 against the spread, while the Rockets sit at -900 and -13.5, respectively. The over/under for the game is set at 228.5.
Key injuries could impact both teams, as the Jazz will likely be missing center Jusuf Nurkic due to a nose injury, and the status of Lauri Markkanen remains uncertain due to illness. The Rockets will miss several key players, including Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet due to knee issues.
Betting predictions suggest a cautious approach, with a projected final score of Rockets 118, Jazz 101. While the Rockets’ spread at -13.5 is tempting, it carries significant risk, making it advisable for bettors to consider the Under 228.5 as a stronger wager, given the recent trends favoring low-scoring games.
Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see how this matchup unfolds, as both teams look to solidify their places moving forward.