Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz NBA Picks & Predictions 5/4/2018

Friday, May 4, 2018

Vivint Smart Home Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Vivint Smart Home Arena to play the Utah Jazz on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The series is tied 1-1. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 11.5 point favorites.

The Rockets had a regular season record of 65-17. They were 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently had a point differential of 8.5 as they averaged 112.4 points per game while giving up 103.9 per contest. The Jazz had an overall mark of 48-34. They finished 3rd in the Northwest Division. They totaled 104.1 points per contest and gave up 99.8, which is a point differential of 4.3.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 45-42-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 38-49-0 against the over/under

Important Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 47-43-0 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 43-45-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

04/28/18 G Ricky Rubio Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/13/18 F Thabo Sefolosha Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 30.4 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Chris Paul averages 18.6 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.9 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Donovan Mitchell averages 20.5 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest this year for the Jazz. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Rudy Gobert averages 13.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.7 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 112.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.48 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 13.8 per game. The Rockets allow 103.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 19th in the league with 104.1 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 43.3 boards per game, and 21st in assists per contest with 22.4. The Jazz are 12th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Jazz surrender 99.8 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20 assists allowed per contest and 2nd with 41.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Jazz are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 106.1 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Utah is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Jazz are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.4, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Utah +11.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald