Warriors vs. Jazz Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
Everyone knows the Warriors are probably winning another NBA championship next June as long as they stay healthy. Don’t be surprised if their toughest competition to emerge from the West isn’t the Houston Rockets but a Utah Jazz team that is on the rise.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Behind rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, one of the NBA’s best centres in Rudy Gobert and a passing wizard of a point guard in Ricky Rubio, the Jazz were a 48-win team last season and reached the Western Conference semifinals after knocking off Oklahoma City in the first round. Houston would end the Jazz’s season in five games. The Rockets seem likely to take a step back this season (especially after seeing them Wednesday), while Utah appears better on paper as long as Mitchell doesn’t have a sophomore slump. He was an utter steal in the 2017 draft at No. 13 overall out of Louisville. Hold that draft again, and Mitchell either goes No. 1 or No. 2 behind Boston’s Jayson Tatum.
It might surprise bettors to know that Utah is on a three-game winning streak vs. the Warriors. Golden State won the first last season but then lost the next three, all in blowout fashion. Were there extenuating circumstances in terms of injuries, etc., for the Warriors? Sure, but that’s still impressive for Utah.
The favorite has covered five of the past six meetings.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State was a 12.5-point favourite Tuesday night over visiting Oklahoma City, which didn’t have Russell Westbrook, but perhaps the Warriors players were a bit overwhelmed by receiving their gaudy reversible (!?!?) championship rings beforehand as they didn’t cover in a 108-100 victory. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were really the only two stars who played well as Curry had 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Durant 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Klay Thompson was just 5-for-20 shooting, and Draymond Green’s head was elsewhere as he was 1-for-6 for two points, although he did pull down 13 rebounds.
The Warriors have a new starter at centre with Zaza Pachulia gone and DeMarcus Cousins likely out until January: Damian Jones had 12 points and three blocks. That’s all the Warriors need is to discover another good young player everyone else passed on.
Utah Jazz
Utah is usually one of the NBA’s best defensive teams – thanks in large part to Gobert – but allowed 117 points in its season opener on Wednesday in Sacramento (Jazz might have been looking forward to this game). The good news is the Jazz scored 123. Mitchell picked up right where he left off with 24 points, although he was just 8-for-21 shooting. Gobert added 19 points and 15 rebounds and Joe Ingles 22 points. As noted, this is Utah’s home opener and that’s one of the toughest places to play in the NBA with the altitude in Salt Lake City and very loud fans. Utah was 28-13 at home last year, including 20-6 against Western Conference opponents.
