Preview: Thunder vs. Jazz
The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 18, in what promises to be an enthralling encounter at 9:00 p.m. ET. The stakes are high as the Thunder aim to bounce back from a two-game skid, while the Jazz are riding the momentum of a six-game winning streak.
Betting Odds
According to BetMGM, the Thunder enter the game as 3.5-point favorites, reflecting their strong season performance that places them second in the Western Conference with a 27-13 record. Despite recent setbacks against the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City remains just two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings.
Recent Performances
The Jazz are not to be underestimated, as they have been dominant at the Delta Center, celebrating nine consecutive victories on their home court. Their last triumph was a convincing 132-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. However, they still find themselves ninth in the conference standings, indicating a level of inconsistency away from home.
Oklahoma City's recent road form has been less than stellar, with four losses in their last six away fixtures. They've also struggled to beat the spread as road favorites, covering just 4 out of 10 times in such scenarios. Nevertheless, with a day's rest under their belt and no significant injuries reported, the Thunder will be eager to change this narrative.
Conversely, Utah had two days of rest following the postponement of their game against the Warriors due to the sad passing of Dejan Milojević. This extra rest could provide a strategic edge over the Thunder, who are playing their third game in four days. The Jazz also boast an impressive record against the spread, particularly at home where they lead the league with a 16-4-0 ATS record. As home underdogs, their cover percentage soars to 76.9%.
Head-to-Head and ATS Statistics
Historically, the Thunder have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning their last four encounters with the Jazz, including a 134-120 victory earlier this season. Oklahoma City's overall against the spread (ATS) performance is robust, covering 66.7% of their games. This figure dips slightly to 55.6% for road games, but they excel after a day’s rest, covering 69.6% of the time.
The Jazz, on the other hand, have lost only three of their last 15 games and cover 61% of their games against the spread. After enjoying 2-3 days off, they are 4-2 against the spread, which bodes well considering their current rest advantage.
Key Players to Watch
The player matchups in this game will be critical. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with impressive averages of 31.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Young talents like Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren have been contributing significantly, with Giddey averaging 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, Williams adding 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, and Holmgren bringing 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game to the table.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen has been a standout performer, averaging 24 points per game this season. Collin Sexton also made a statement in their last outing, scoring 30 points with five assists against the Pacers. Jordan Clarkson, with averages of 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, will be another key player for Utah.
Conclusion
As the Thunder look to correct course after recent defeats and the Jazz seek to extend their impressive home run, all eyes will be on the Delta Center. Fatigue may play a role for Oklahoma City, but with no injuries to contend with, they'll be hoping to leverage their depth and talent to overcome the rested Jazz. On the flip side, Utah will be determined to capitalize on their extra rest and continue their dominance at home, potentially securing their tenth successive home victory. It's all set for a night of high-stakes basketball that fans won't want to miss.
"Utah Jazz +3.5 (-110 with BetMGM)" suggests that the oddsmakers anticipate