Preview: Thunder vs. Jazz
In an eagerly anticipated Western Conference clash, the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET. As the Thunder aim to bounce back from a recent slump and the Jazz look to extend their impressive winning streak, all eyes will be on the Delta Center for what promises to be a compelling matchup.
Oklahoma City Aims to Rebound
The Thunder, currently holding a strong second-place position in the Western Conference with a 27-13 record, find themselves in a minor rut after consecutive losses. They fell 128-117 to the LA Clippers and also suffered a defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite these setbacks, they remain just two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings. With no injuries reported and a day of rest under their belt, Oklahoma City is poised to attack the court with renewed vigor as they play their third game in four days.
Historically, the Thunder have dominated their recent meetings with the Jazz, winning their last four encounters, including a 134-120 victory earlier this season. Their ability to cover the spread has been notable, achieving a 66.7% success rate overall, though it dips slightly to 55.6% in road games. After a day's rest, the team's performance against the spread improves dramatically, boasting a 69.6% cover rate. However, their record as road favorites against the spread is less imposing at 4-6, and they have lost four of their last six away games.
Jazz in High Spirits
The Jazz are riding the momentum of a six-game winning streak, seeking to make it seven straight victories. Ninth in the conference, they have shown resilience at home, winning nine consecutive games at the Delta Center. Their most recent triumph was a commanding 132-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. Utah has had a two-day rest period leading up to the game against Oklahoma City, which could provide them with a significant edge considering the Thunder's packed schedule.
Despite having five players sidelined in their last outing, the Jazz have only lost three of their last 15 games, illustrating the depth and tenacity of their roster. The team has excelled at covering the spread in 61% of their games and boasts the best home game ATS (against the spread) record in the league at 16-4-0. As home underdogs, they have covered an impressive 76.9% of the time and hold a solid 4-2 ATS record following a rest period of 2-3 days.
The passing of Dejan Milojević led to the postponement of Utah's game against the Warriors, giving them an extra advantage in terms of rest and preparation time. This rest factor, coupled with the Thunder's recent fatigue issues that were evident in their loss to the Clippers, sets the stage for the Jazz to potentially secure their tenth successive home victory.
Player Spotlights
Key players will undoubtedly influence the outcome of this match. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the charge, averaging 31.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Josh Giddey contributes with averages of 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, while Jalen Williams adds 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Chet Holmgren also makes his presence felt, averaging 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
On the Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 24 points per game this season. Collin Sexton put on a show against the Pacers, racking up 30 points and dishing out five assists. Jordan Clarkson, averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, is another key contributor to keep an eye on.
Betting Angles
The betting landscape presents an intriguing scenario. BetMGM lists the Thunder as 3.5-point favorites heading into the game. However, given the Jazz's strong ATS performance, particularly at home, bettors may find value in backing Utah with the points.
"Utah Jazz +3.5 (-110 with BetMGM)" reflects the odds and potential confidence in the Jazz's ability to either win outright or keep the game within the spread. As always, wagering outcomes can be unpredictable, and past performances,