As the NBA approaches its midway point of the 2022-23 season, teams are starting to show who they are. In a battle of mediocrity, the Golden State Warriors continue their season-high eight-game homestand against the Utah Jazz. Tipoff for the December 28 contestis at 10 p.m. at the Chase Center.
Utah and Golding State are facing each other for the third time. The Warriors took the first game 129-118 on November 25 at home. The Jazz won the return visit to Utah 124-123 three weeks ago.
Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk, and Colin Sexton have led the way for the Jazz in the first two NBA matchups. Meanwhile, Jordan Poole has been sensational for the Warriors, averaging 34.0 points and 5.0 assists against the Jazz. Klay Thomspon, Jonathan Kuminga, and Donte DiVincenzo have also played well in the series.
Read on for our Jazz vs Warriors betting info.
Last Game Records
The Jazz (19-17) continue their three-game road trip tonight, where they are 7-12 on the season.
Utah is coming off a 126-122 setback to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, snapping a two-game win streak. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicated, as the Jazz were awful on both ends of the court and trailed for 45 minutes. The Jazz, down by as many 20 points, outscored the Spurs 15-5 over the final 2:26 to make the score respectable.
San Antonio punished Utah’s defense for failing to keep the Spurs away from the basket. The Spurs scored 74 of their points in the paint and shot over 55% from for the game. Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 32 points and 12 rebounds for his 12th double-double of the campaign, while Clarkson tossed in 21 points.
Golden State (17-18) improved to 2-0 during their homestand with a 110-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets last night, as both teams were shorthanded. The Warriors have won three straight at the Chase Center and are 14-2 overall.
Charlotte was able to keep the contest early, but the Warriors got hot midway through the first quarter from beyond the arc and never looked back. Thompson scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the opening frame. Poole tossed in 24, while Kuminga and Donte DiVincenzo had strong outings.
Jazz vs. Warriors Betting Analysis
The Jazz and Warriors have two of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. While the teams don’t necessarily disregard playing defense, neither are very good on that end due to several factors though most have to do with the construction of the rosters.
Utah, one of the most surprising teams in the league, planned on going through a full-on rebuild this year after trading away three of their starters from a year ago. The Jazz likely will continue that plan though it has at least changed slightly.
Conversely, the Warriors are one of the most disappointing teams in the league. Injuries to several of the stars have hampered the Warriors. The biggest issue has been the defense of the Dubs’ reserves, although they have improved throughout the season.
The matchups to watch are Clarkson vs. Poole, Markkanen vs. Kuminga, and the Jazz bench vs. Warriors reserves. The keys to the game will be rebounding, transition offense/defense, and turnovers.
Utah Jazz Analysis
Utah has thrived on the offensive end this year, ranking fourth in the league in efficiency, according to NBA team stats. The Jazz are an average shooting team overall though they have struggled lately. However, the Jazz are excellent from beyond the arc and have several players who will launch those shots when given an opening. They are also outstanding on the offensive glass. Turnovers over a problem, however.
Defensively, Utah is below-average. The Jazz are very good at defending the 3-point line, but transition and interior defense are huge issues. Defensive rebounding and fouling are also a weakness.
Markkanen has been playing some of his basketball of the season lately and leads the team in most player stats. Clarkson and Malik Beasley have upped their production over the last 10 contests.
Golden State Warriors Analysis
Like Utah, Golden State is explosive offensively. While the Warriors are not as efficient as the Jazz, they are a better shooting team overall. In terms of NBA player stats, they are one of the best shooting 3-point teams, making 16 a game at a 37.6% clip, though they haven’t been as proficient without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins. Turnovers, getting to the free throw line, and offensive rebounding issues.
Golden State has been below-average defensively this year as well. When healthy, the Warriors’ starters can shut down their opponents. But they have struggled mightly as they have been shorthanded recently.
The Warriors are a decent defensive rebounding team – they have been better on the glass over the last ten games – though defending the 3-point line and protecting the rim are issues.
Poole, Thompson, DiVincenzo, and Ty Jerome have stepped up their production lately.
Updates
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) is the only player on the Jazz’s injury report. Olynyk has missed the past four games and is questionable for tonight.
Curry (shoulder), Green (illness), and Wiggins (illness) remain sidelined for the Warriors. Thompson (injury management) is also not expected to play tonight, as the Dubs are playing back-to-back games.
Jazz vs. Warriors Betting Preview
NBA odds have the Jazz as -2.5 point favorites and the over/under set at 231.
Utah is 20 -16-0 against the spread, though the Jazz have failed to cover three of their last five. They are 10-9-0 on the road.
The Over is 19-17-0 in the Jazz’s 36 games, including four of the last six contests. The Over also has hit in 11 of their 19 road games.
Golden State is 15-19-1 against the spread, including 2-2-1 in their last five. The Warriors are 11-4-1 ATS at home, posting 2-0-1 over the previous three.
The Over is 20-13-2 in Golden State’s 35 games. However, the Under has hit in two straight games and is 10-6-0 in their games at the Chase Center.
After reviewing the Jazz vs Warriors betting info, it is time to reveal NBA expert picks.
Jazz vs. Warriors Betting Prediction
This Jazz-Warriors matchup is one of eight games on the NBA schedule tonight.
When looking into Jazz vs Warriors betting, know that Golden State is an entirely different team at the Chase Center. The Warriors win there, and surprisingly, they find their defensive prowess.
The Warriors have been shorthanded for the past six games, but the expectation is that they will be without Thompson. The Dubs are 2-5 without Thompson and 0-2 when they are out all three of their big 3, getting outscored by 54 points. They are also playing in back-to-back games, where they are 2-5 with a -6.9 point differential.
Furthermore, Utah and Golden State have split their first two games. Markkanan, who played in one game, and Clarkson have played well against the Dubs.
Pick: Jazz (-2.5)
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