Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 5/8/2018

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Utah Jazz travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Rockets lead the series 3-1. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 13 point favorites.

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

Valuable Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 47-44-0 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 43-46-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 46-42-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 38-50-0 against the over/under

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

05/06/18 G Dante Exum Hamstring left last game, is doubtful Tuesday vs Houston
05/06/18 G Ricky Rubio Hamstring is "?" Tuesday vs Houston
01/13/18 F Thabo Sefolosha Knee is out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Derrick Favors averages 12.3 points per game in 28 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.2 rebounds per game for Utah. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 65%. Donovan Mitchell comes into this contest averaging 20.5 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Jazz. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon averages 18 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%. James Harden averages 30.4 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per game and has 8.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Jazz allow 99.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.6 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 20 assists per contest which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Utah averages 104.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 43.3 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 103.9 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.4 assists allowed per contest, and 4th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season. Houston is 2nd in the league with 112.4 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.48. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game and 26th in assists per contest with 21.5. The Rockets are 19th in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -13

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