The Oklahoma City Thunder kick off their journey to win an NBA Championship when they host the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Thunder and Jazz finished with identical records this season but because of a tie-breaker, home-court advantage was given to OKC. That may not bode well for the Jazz as they’ve lost 14 games in a row in Oklahoma City and opened as 3.5-point dogs.
- The Thunder are 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games in the playoffs.
- The Jazz are 6-0 ATS in their last six games in the playoffs on the road.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of the Thunder' last 10 games.
The Jazz have been one of the best stories of the NBA this season after being written off with Gordon Hayward’s departure. Utah’s defense took it up a notch as they ranked second in the NBA in points allowed per game while center Rudy Gobert continues his campaign for his first Defensive Player of the Year award.
But none of Utah’s success would be possible without rookie Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has been a revelation in Salt Lake City, averaging just over 20 points per game and leading the Jazz on an incredible 18-5 SU record since the all-star break. If bettors are planning to back Utah’s spread in tonight’s game in OKC, they should know that the Jazz are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games as dogs of 3.5 points or more.
The Thunder, on the other hand, may be viewed as a disappointment when you consider the talent on paper they possess. Russell Westbrook continued to be a beast this season, averaging another triple-double this year and is the only player to ever do it in multiple seasons.
But as great as Westbrook has been, OKC has been a frustrating wager for bettors, going 0-6 SU and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games vs divisional opponents. Spread-bettors have also been burned by this squad in this scenario as the Thunder are 1-5-1 ATS in its last six games as favorites of 3.5 points or more.
The total opened at 206 and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the last 16 games in this matchup with an average combined score of 193.7 points per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those looking to pick the visitors as their prediction to cover in this one found the Utah Jazz listed as 3.5-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER total betting line for this game was set at 204.5 at Sportsbook but may have moved since the betting odds opened.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 110-106 win for the Jazz. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Oklahoma City Thunder are 48-34 so far on the NBA season, and 34-47-1 ATS vs the spread betting line. The Utah Jazz, meanwhile, are 48-34 and 43-38-1 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Oklahoma City go 36-46 and the Jazz go 39-42-1 on the total. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Oklahoma City vs Utah injuries news.
According to the betting Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 6-rated Oklahoma City Thunder and the No. 1-rated Jazz in this NBA basketball matchup.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Utah Jazz rank No. 20 in the league with 43.23 per game. That compares with Oklahoma City's No. 5 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Oklahoma City is the NBA's No. 15-ranked team at 10.74 per game, while the Utah Jazz rate No. 13 with 10.82 per contest.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Utah got 17 points from Donovan Mitchell but lost anyway 102-93 against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Moda Center.
Paul George went off for 40 points and added 4 rebounds leading Oklahoma City to a 137-123 win over Memphis on Wednesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
- Utah is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Utah's last 11 games
- Utah is 12-4-1 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
- Oklahoma City is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
- Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games
- Oklahoma City is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Utah at Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 18th
