Jazz vs. Thunder prediction, odds, pick, spread

The Utah Jazz travel a bit south to download Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday evening. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with the Jazz-Thunder prediction and selection. We’ll also let you know how to watch the game.

Here are Jazz-Thunder NBA oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NBA odds: Jazz-Thunder odds

Utah Jazz: +18 (-112)

Moneilines: +1300

Oklahoma City Thunder: -18 (-108)

Coins: -3000

Over: 227.5 (-110)

Less: 227.5 (-110)

How to watch Jazz vs. Thunder

Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

TV: KJZZ-TV, FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the Jazz might cover the spread/win

It will be very difficult for the Jazz to score on Wednesday, so they need to keep up their defense. The Thunder score the ball well, but they can be beat. Two games ago, the Thunder scored just 98 points against the Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz must be able to play a similar defensive game to the Mavericks. If the Jazz can hold the Mavericks under 110 points, or even under 115, they’ll have a chance to cover the upside.

There are two players on the Jazz right now that will make a difference. They are Lauri Markannen and Valker Kessler. Markkanen is scoring over 20 points per game to lead the Jazz and Kessler is averaging a double-double. In fact, Kessler has double-doubles in five of his eight games in January, while Markkanen is averaging 22.6 points in January. If these two players can find a way to play one of their better games together, the Jazz will be able to cover the upside.

Why might thunder cover the spread/win

Oklahoma City is one of the best offenses in the NBA. They score an average of 116.4 points per game and shoot 47.4 percent as a team. The Thunder are also the best free throw shooters in the NBA. Utah allows the fifth most points in the NBA with 118.2 points. The Jazz are really struggling on defense, and that will be used on Wednesday night. With Utah allowing a lot of points, you can expect the Thunder to have a big offensive game in this game.

The Thunder are good on offense, but they are even better on defense. Oklahoma City is allowing 1o3.6 points per game, the lowest in the NBA. The Thunder also allow the fewest field goals per game, fourth fewest field goal attempts per game and lowest field goal percentage. Additionally, the Thunder do a great job of defending the perimeter. Oklahoma City will have no problem keeping the Jazz down. In fact, under 105 points is not out of the realm of possibility. The Thunder are 23-0 when allowing fewer than 105 points. As long as Oklahoma City keeps this up, they will dominate this game.

Oklahoma City is just one of the best teams in the NBA. They dominate at both ends of the court and have lost just seven games all season. Only two of those games were played at home. Additionally, the Thunder have dominated the last five games. In those games, they are scoring 122.6 points per game while allowing just 103.6. They were incredibly dominant and there is no reason to believe that will change on Wednesday night.

Final jazz-Thunder Prediction & Pick

The range here is very wide, but the Jazz are just a much worse team. I’ll take Thunder to cover the spread.

Final Jazz Grom Prediction and Pick: Thunder -18 (-108)