Everything is clicking for the Utah Jazz right now and it all starts with Ricky Rubio's shooting.
No one could have predicted Ricky Rubio would outplay Russell Westbrook in the first round playoff matchup between the Jazz and Thunder, but that’s what bettors are witnessing after the first three games. The Jazz try to stay in tune on Monday night for Game 4 in Salt Lake City.
NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 22 Apr 9:09am | OKC | -6 -110 | O +210.5 -110 |
| Closing 24 Apr 3:09am | OKC | -5 -110 | O +207.5 -110 |
The Thunder were outscored by 22 points in the second and third quarters and lost by 13 to Utah in Game 3. OKC’s continue to frustrate bettors. The Thunder dropped to 35-49-1 against the spread on the campaign following Saturday’s result, and they haven’t been a good bounce-back bet either. The club is 13-21-1 ATS in their games coming off a loss.
The Jazz improved to 8-2 straight up in their last 10 games overall and 5-2 ATS in their last seven contests. Utah’s offence is a big part of the squad’s success. Head coach Quin Snyder’s team is averaging 111 points per game over its last 14 games overall and the over is 10-4 during the span.
About 68 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are backing the Thunder to cover as 5.5-point road underdogs against the Jazz in Game 4.
Utah is a -400 favourite to win the series now with a 2-1 lead while the Thunder are paying +250 to win the series on the Sports Interaction NBA futures board.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook took Ricky Rubio’s strong Game 3 performance personally and assured reporters he would put an end to it in Game 4. Westbrook might do a better job helping his team’s chances if he could find his own offensive game.
He’s shooting a career-worst percentage (.361) in the playoffs and Jazz centre Rudy Gobert is taking away easy buckets at the rim. The Thunder need to do a better job of giving Westbrook passing options in the paint when Gobert helps off his man.
Utah Jazz
Everything is clicking for Utah right now and it all starts with Rubio’s shooting. The veteran point guard is wizard distributing the ball in creative ways, but a weak jumper kept him from becoming an elite player in the league. But, in his first postseason appearance, he’s making the Thunder pay for leaving him open beyond the arc.
Rubio is shooting 41.1 percent on his 3-point attempts over the last two games – both resulting in Utah wins and ATS covers.
Injuries
Steven Adams (C)
Corey Brewer (SG)
Alex Abrines (SG)
Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Doug McDermott (SF)
Enes Kanter (C)
Isaiah Canaan (PG)
Andre Roberson (SG)
Patrick Patterson (PF)
Dante Exum (PG)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Derrick Favors (PF)
Ricky Rubio (PG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Joe Ingles (SF)
Tony Bradley (C)
Raul Neto (PG)
Joe Johnson (SG)
Derrick Rose (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Adams (C) | day-to-day | Hand - 18 / 04 / 18 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Adams left Wednesday's game due to a right hand injury and it is unclear if he will return. |
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| Corey Brewer (SG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 17 / 04 / 18 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Brewer is dealing a sprained knee but is likely to play Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz. |
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| Alex Abrines (SG) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 09 / 04 / 18 | 4-4 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Abrines is recovering from a concussion but is likely to be active for Game 1 the Western Conference first round against the Jazz. |
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| Terrance Ferguson (SG) | Prob Mon | Concussion - 08 / 03 / 18 | 10-11 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Ferguson missed the previous game as he is working his way through the concussion protocol but is likely to be available against the Kings on Monday. |
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| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Out Sat | Rest - 03 / 03 / 18 | 11-13 | 11-14 | + - |
|
Anthony is not expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers as he will be given the day to rest. |
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| Doug McDermott (SF) | Prob Sat | Acquired - 08 / 02 / 18 | 14-18 | 15-18 | + - |
|
McDermott has been acquired in a trade and is expected to be available Saturday against the Lakers. |
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| Enes Kanter (C) | Prob Sun | Mouth - 07 / 02 / 18 | 14-19 | 15-19 | + - |
|
Kanter sat out the last game after undergoing oral surgery to repair a lip laceration but is expected to be available Sunday against the Pacers. |
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| Isaiah Canaan (PG) | out for season | Leg - 01 / 02 / 18 | 14-22 | 16-21 | + - |
|
Canaan underwent surgery to fix a fractured left ankle and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
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| Andre Roberson (SG) | out for season | Knee - 27 / 01 / 18 | 17-22 | 19-21 | + - |
|
Roberson ruptured his left patellar tendon and will require surgery to repair the injury. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
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| Patrick Patterson (PF) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 24 / 01 / 18 | 18-23 | 21-21 | + - |
|
Patterson has a wrist injury but is expected to play Thursday against the Wizards. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dante Exum (PG) | Ques Tues | Hamstring - 06 / 05 / 18 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Exum is dealing with a strained left hamstring and it is uncertain if he will play against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round. |
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| Royce O'Neale (SF) | day-to-day | Knee - 06 / 05 / 18 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
O'Neale left Sunday's game with a right knee injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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| Derrick Favors (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Favors sprained his left ankle in the previous game but is expected to be in the lineup Sunday for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Rockets. |
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| Ricky Rubio (PG) | Ques Tues | Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 18 | 1-5 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Rubio is sidelined with a left hamstring strain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets. |
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| Jae Crowder (SF) | Prob Sun | Eye - 05 / 04 / 18 | 7-8 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Crowder exited the last game with a corneal abrasion in his left eye but is expected to play Sunday against the Lakers. |
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| Joe Ingles (SF) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 04 / 04 / 18 | 8-8 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Ingles is likely to play Thursday against the Clippers despite a right knee contusion. |
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| Tony Bradley (C) | Ques Fri | Concussion - 13 / 03 / 18 | 12-14 | 14-12 | + - |
|
Bradley has been cleared from a concussion but it is unknown if he will draw back into the lineup against the Grizzlies on Friday. |
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| Raul Neto (PG) | Mid April | Wrist - 12 / 03 / 18 | 12-14 | 14-12 | + - |
|
Neto has been diagnosed with a fractured left wrist but is aiming to return to the lineup by the middle of April. |
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| Joe Johnson (SG) | Prob Wed | Acquired - 14 / 02 / 18 | 16-20 | 16-20 | + - |
|
Johnson has been recently acquired by the Rockets and is expected to be available for Wednesday's game against the Kings. |
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| Derrick Rose (PG) | Doub Sun | Acquired - 10 / 02 / 18 | 18-21 | 17-22 | + - |
|
Rose was recently acquired but is unlikely to play against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. |
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Thunder vs. Jazz Game 4 Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Apr 9:09am OKC -6 -110 O +210.5 -110 Closing 24 Apr 3:09am OKC -5 -110 O +207.5 -110 -
Injuries
Steven Adams (C)
day-to-day Hand - 18 / 04 / 18Corey Brewer (SG)
Prob Wed Knee - 17 / 04 / 18Alex Abrines (SG)
Prob Sun Concussion - 09 / 04 / 18Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Prob Mon Concussion - 08 / 03 / 18Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Out Sat Rest - 03 / 03 / 18Doug McDermott (SF)
Prob Sat Acquired - 08 / 02 / 18Enes Kanter (C)
Prob Sun Mouth - 07 / 02 / 18Isaiah Canaan (PG)
out for season Leg - 01 / 02 / 18Andre Roberson (SG)
out for season Knee - 27 / 01 / 18Patrick Patterson (PF)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 24 / 01 / 18Dante Exum (PG)
Ques Tues Hamstring - 06 / 05 / 18Royce O'Neale (SF)
day-to-day Knee - 06 / 05 / 18Derrick Favors (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 05 / 18Ricky Rubio (PG)
Ques Tues Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 18Jae Crowder (SF)
Prob Sun Eye - 05 / 04 / 18Joe Ingles (SF)
Prob Thurs Knee - 04 / 04 / 18Tony Bradley (C)
Ques Fri Concussion - 13 / 03 / 18Raul Neto (PG)
Mid April Wrist - 12 / 03 / 18Joe Johnson (SG)
Prob Wed Acquired - 14 / 02 / 18Derrick Rose (PG)
Doub Sun Acquired - 10 / 02 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Steven Adams (C) day-to-day Hand - 18 / 04 / 18 2-3 3-2 + - Adams left Wednesday's game due to a right hand injury and it is unclear if he will return.
Corey Brewer (SG) Prob Wed Knee - 17 / 04 / 18 2-3 3-2 + - Brewer is dealing a sprained knee but is likely to play Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Alex Abrines (SG) Prob Sun Concussion - 09 / 04 / 18 4-4 4-4 + - Abrines is recovering from a concussion but is likely to be active for Game 1 the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Terrance Ferguson (SG) Prob Mon Concussion - 08 / 03 / 18 10-11 9-13 + - Ferguson missed the previous game as he is working his way through the concussion protocol but is likely to be available against the Kings on Monday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Out Sat Rest - 03 / 03 / 18 11-13 11-14 + - Anthony is not expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers as he will be given the day to rest.
Doug McDermott (SF) Prob Sat Acquired - 08 / 02 / 18 14-18 15-18 + - McDermott has been acquired in a trade and is expected to be available Saturday against the Lakers.
Enes Kanter (C) Prob Sun Mouth - 07 / 02 / 18 14-19 15-19 + - Kanter sat out the last game after undergoing oral surgery to repair a lip laceration but is expected to be available Sunday against the Pacers.
Isaiah Canaan (PG) out for season Leg - 01 / 02 / 18 14-22 16-21 + - Canaan underwent surgery to fix a fractured left ankle and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Andre Roberson (SG) out for season Knee - 27 / 01 / 18 17-22 19-21 + - Roberson ruptured his left patellar tendon and will require surgery to repair the injury. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Patrick Patterson (PF) Prob Thurs Wrist - 24 / 01 / 18 18-23 21-21 + - Patterson has a wrist injury but is expected to play Thursday against the Wizards.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dante Exum (PG) Ques Tues Hamstring - 06 / 05 / 18 0-2 0-2 + - Exum is dealing with a strained left hamstring and it is uncertain if he will play against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round.
Royce O'Neale (SF) day-to-day Knee - 06 / 05 / 18 0-2 0-2 + - O'Neale left Sunday's game with a right knee injury and it is unknown if he will return.
Derrick Favors (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 05 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Favors sprained his left ankle in the previous game but is expected to be in the lineup Sunday for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Rockets.
Ricky Rubio (PG) Ques Tues Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 18 1-5 1-5 + - Rubio is sidelined with a left hamstring strain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets.
Jae Crowder (SF) Prob Sun Eye - 05 / 04 / 18 7-8 7-8 + - Crowder exited the last game with a corneal abrasion in his left eye but is expected to play Sunday against the Lakers.
Joe Ingles (SF) Prob Thurs Knee - 04 / 04 / 18 8-8 8-8 + - Ingles is likely to play Thursday against the Clippers despite a right knee contusion.
Tony Bradley (C) Ques Fri Concussion - 13 / 03 / 18 12-14 14-12 + - Bradley has been cleared from a concussion but it is unknown if he will draw back into the lineup against the Grizzlies on Friday.
Raul Neto (PG) Mid April Wrist - 12 / 03 / 18 12-14 14-12 + - Neto has been diagnosed with a fractured left wrist but is aiming to return to the lineup by the middle of April.
Joe Johnson (SG) Prob Wed Acquired - 14 / 02 / 18 16-20 16-20 + - Johnson has been recently acquired by the Rockets and is expected to be available for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Derrick Rose (PG) Doub Sun Acquired - 10 / 02 / 18 18-21 17-22 + - Rose was recently acquired but is unlikely to play against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.