Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz Predictions, NBA Picks Against the Spread 2/22/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020

Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Rocky Mountain

Odds/Point Spread: Utah -1

Total/Over-Under: 233.5

Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz (36-18, 2nd in the Northwest Division) host the Houston Rockets (35-20, 1st in the Southwest Division) at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Utah opens this game as 1 point favorites. The total opens at 233.5.

The Rockets are covering 49.1% of the time, having gone 27-28-0 ATS. Utah covers the spread 52.8% of the time, going 28-25-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

02/20/20 SG Eric Gordon Leg is questionable Saturday vs Utah

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

02/20/20 PG Mike Conley Rest is downgraded to out Friday vs San Antonio

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 35.2 points per game in 36.9 minutes per contest. He averages 7.4 assists per contest and 6.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 27.0 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 7.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Donovan Mitchell averages 24.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Rudy Gobert averages 15.6 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 14.6 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 69% and his free throw percentage is at 61%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.7 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they give up 25.7 assists per contest which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Houston averages 118.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 14th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 14.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Jazz surrender 107.2 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20.7 assists allowed per contest, and 4th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Jazz are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game. Utah is 16th in the league with 111.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 4.1. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 45.7 boards per game and 26th in assists per contest with 22.2. The Jazz are 10th in turnovers per game with 15.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Utah is 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 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 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.4, and their defensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 98.8 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 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston +1

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