In that Friday game, the referees missed a very clear goaltending call, which gave the Jazz the win. That was a big one for the Jazz as they had lost five in a row before that. We’ll see if Friday’s win was a momentum-changer for the Jazz or whether they merely got lucky to end their losing streak.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Jazz have been one of the worst teams to bet on over the last couple of weeks as they have lost five of six and failed to cover every single time. On the year, they are 24-25-2 against the spread and while they are 19-5 (straight up) at home, they’re a lousy 14-13 in away games.

As for the Rockets, they’ve won seven of their last 10 games and covered the spread in six of those contests. One of those wins was a 126-117 victory over the Utah Jazz in Utah on January 27^th. They were a 14.5-point underdog in that game and won outright. For Sunday’s game, keep an eye on the status of Eric Gordon, who is questionable for the contest.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz have been a disaster over the last couple of weeks. They had won 19 of their previous 21 games and then hit the skids with five straight losses. Even Friday’s win at Portland was a nail biter as the game clearly should have been tied instead of the Jazz being afforded the win.

A big issue for the Jazz has been their defense, which has completely collapsed. They’ve allowed 115.8 points per game over their last six contests. This is from a team that’s ranked sixth in the category overall, allowing just 107.0 points per outing. Defense is this team’s calling card, so if they’re not going to tight up, they’re going to continue to slid.

The good news is they should have a huge rebounding advantage over the Rockets on Sunday. The Rockets have switched to their small ball lineup permanently, which means if the Jazz pound the ball inside to Rudy Gobert, they should have a huge edge in the interior. Someone like P.J. Tucker will probably be guarding him. Houston is one of the worst in terms of opponent rebounds at 46.7 per game (26th) while the Jazz are among the best at 43.1 (5th).

Houston Rockets

The Rockets have been a tough team to figure out over the last week. After trading center Clint Capela at the trade deadline and shifting to their small ball lineup, they stunned the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Thursday. Rebounding wasn’t an issue as they finished a -1 on the game. However, on Friday night, the Rockets were roasted by the lousy Phoenix Suns by a count of 127-91. Phoenix ended up out-rebounding the Rockets 51-29. The Rockets missed 22 more shots than the Suns and were outrebounded by 22 as well.

The good news is that they’re still 5-1 (on the season) with this small lineup and they were without Russell Westbrook on Friday night. That might explain a lot. He’s averaging 34.1 points per game with 8.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals and 50.5% from the field in his last seven games. He’s a big catalyst for this team.

Who Will Win Jazz vs. Rockets?

Injuries

Utah

Justin Wright-Foreman (PG)

Out indefinitely Personal - 16 / 08 / 20

Ed Davis (C)

Out indefinitely Knee - 13 / 08 / 20

Mike Conley (PG)

Prob Fri Personal - 12 / 08 / 20

Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)

Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)

Ques Mon Knee - 08 / 08 / 20

Juwan Morgan (PF)

Prob Thurs Knee - 07 / 08 / 20

Mike Conley (PG)

Prob Sat Knee - 06 / 08 / 20

Joe Ingles (SF)

Prob Fri Foot - 06 / 08 / 20

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Sat Calf - 06 / 08 / 20

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Mon Foot - 03 / 08 / 20

Houston

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Sat Neck - 12 / 09 / 20

Robert Covington (SF)

PRob Thurs Head - 09 / 09 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

out for season Personal - 08 / 09 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Ques Sun Head - 05 / 09 / 20

Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 08 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Tues Toe - 10 / 08 / 20

Bruno Caboclo (SF)

Out Sun Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20

DeMarre Carroll (SF)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20

Austin Rivers (PG)

day to day Personal - 24 / 07 / 20

Injuries

Utah

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Justin Wright-Foreman (PG)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 16 / 08 / 20	3-4	5-2	+ -
Wright-Foreman will miss an extended period after leaving the NBA bubble for a personal reason.
Ed Davis (C)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 13 / 08 / 20	3-5	6-2	+ -
Davis suffered an MLC injury in his left knee, and there is no timetable for return.
Mike Conley (PG)	Prob Fri	Personal - 12 / 08 / 20	3-5	6-2	+ -
Conley has returned to the NBA bubble after attending the birth of his son, but he is expected to draw back into the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Nuggets.
Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)	Prob Mon	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	3-5	6-2	+ -
Mudiay is nursing soreness in his left knee, but he is projected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Nuggets.
Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)	Ques Mon	Knee - 08 / 08 / 20	4-6	8-2	+ -
Mudiay sat out the previous game due to soreness in his left knee, and it is unclear if he will take the court for Monday's contest versus the Mavericks.
Juwan Morgan (PF)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 07 / 08 / 20	5-6	9-2	+ -
Morgan is out of action with a sore right knee, but he is likely to return Thursday against the Spurs.
Mike Conley (PG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 06 / 08 / 20	5-6	9-2	+ -
Conley missed the last game with a sore right knee, but it is anticipated that it will not prevent him from playing Saturday against the Nuggets.
Joe Ingles (SF)	Prob Fri	Foot - 06 / 08 / 20	5-6	9-2	+ -
Ingles is projected to be available against the Spurs on Friday despite a sore right foot.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Sat	Calf - 06 / 08 / 20	5-6	9-2	+ -
O'Neale missed the previous contest due to right calf soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Nuggets on Saturday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Mon	Foot - 03 / 08 / 20	5-8	10-3	+ -
O'Neale is battling a sore right foot, but he is likely to take the court against the Lakers on Monday.

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Sat	Neck - 12 / 09 / 20	0-1	0-1	+ -
Chandler is dealing with neck spasms and will sit out Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Lakers.
Robert Covington (SF)	PRob Thurs	Head - 09 / 09 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
Covington is battling headache, but it is projected that he will line up in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	out for season	Personal - 08 / 09 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
House Jr. will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the postseason due to a violation of bubble protocol.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Ques Sun	Head - 05 / 09 / 20	1-4	1-4	+ -
House Jr. is tending to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 19 / 08 / 20	4-7	4-7	+ -
Mbah a Moute has a left knee effusion, and there is no timetable for return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Tues	Toe - 10 / 08 / 20	5-10	5-10	+ -
House Jr. is bothered by a left toe sprain, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Thunder.
Bruno Caboclo (SF)	Out Sun	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Caboclo has sat out the past three games due to a sprained right ankle, and he will not return Sunday against the Kings.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Gordon has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, but is expected to make his return Wednesday against the Pacers.
DeMarre Carroll (SF)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Carroll missed the last game with a hamstring injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Bucks on Sunday.
Austin Rivers (PG)	day to day	Personal - 24 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rivers was away from the team due to a personal matter. He has returned and is likely to line up in Friday's matchup versus the Mavericks.