Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Utah Jazz travel to Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Utah as 5 point favorites.

The Jazz head into this matchup with a mark of 14-15. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.4 as they average 107.4 points per contest while giving up 107.0 per game. The Magic have an overall record of 13-15 this season. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They average 104.3 points per game and surrender 107.3, good for a point differential of -3.0.

Valuable Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 14-15-0 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 17-12-0 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 15-11-1 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 10-17-0 against the over/under

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

12/13/18 PG Raul Neto Leg is questionable Saturday vs Orlando

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Donovan Mitchell comes into this contest averaging 20.8 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Joe Ingles averages 12.1 points per game in 31.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.6 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic averages 20.8 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 11.5 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Aaron Gordon averages 16.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.4 rebounds per contest and 3.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah averages 107.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 24.5 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.4 per game. The Jazz allow 107.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.0 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 21.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 26th in the league with 104.3 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.0. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 42.4 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 25.6. The Magic are 26th in turnovers per game with 12.9. The Magic surrender 107.3 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 23.5 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Jazz are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 107.8, and their offensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 9th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Utah is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 11th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league. The Magic are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.3, and their defensive rating of 109.4 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Orlando +5

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