Jazz vs Rockets: A Deep Dive into Monday’s NBA Clash

The Utah Jazz (18-39) are set to face off against the Houston Rockets (34-21) on Monday at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on Peacock. Let’s break down the latest NBA odds from BetMGM Sportsbook and provide our expert predictions for the best bets.

Season Series Recap

The season series is currently tied 1-1. In their most recent encounter on December 1st, the Jazz secured a 133-125 victory in Salt Lake City as 11.5-point underdogs, with the Over (235.5) hitting. The Rockets previously dominated the Jazz with a 129-101 win in SLC, covering as 12-point favorites and the Under (233.5) cashing.

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Utah Jazz

The Jazz recently fell to a 123-114 defeat as 2.5-point underdogs on Friday. Isaiah Collier led the scoring with 24 points, while Kyle Filipowski contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Utah has a 2-4 straight-up record in their last six games, but a respectable 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in their previous eight outings. The Over has narrowly edged out the Under with a 4-3 record in their last seven games.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets suffered a close 108-106 loss on the road against the New York Knicks on Saturday, but managed to cover as 3.5-point underdogs, and the Under (220.5) cashed once again. Kevin Durant spearheaded the attack with 30 points, while Tari Eason recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Amen Thompson also impressed with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Houston has lost two of their last three games and holds a 1-3 ATS record during that span. Notably, the Under has prevailed in all four of those games, extending their impressive 21-4 record in the past 25 outings.

BetMGM Sportsbook Odds & Picks (as of 1:01 p.m. ET)

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Rockets are heavily favored at -900. While tempting, a straight bet on the Rockets at such odds offers minimal value. Even within a parlay, the risk outweighs the potential reward.

• Rockets -13.5 (-105): This is a cautiously recommended play. The Jazz’s potential absence of Rudy Gobert and the uncertainty surrounding Lauri Markkanen could leave them vulnerable in the paint.
• Under 228.5 (-105): This appears to be the most promising bet. Houston’s recent trend of low-scoring games is undeniable, with the Under hitting in 21 of their last 25 contests.

Official NBA Injury Report: Stay updated with the latest injury news here.

Expert Prediction

Rockets 118, Jazz 101 – We anticipate a strong performance from the Rockets, capitalizing on potential weaknesses in the Jazz’s frontcourt. However, the most value lies in betting the Under.

For more sports betting insights, visit SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow @danieledobish on X for real-time updates.

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