NBA Spreads: Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Utah Jazz will go on the road to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in third of four meetings between these two Northwest Division rivals. Portland evened the series at 1-1 with a 96-91 win at Utah on Monday, making the road team 2-0 in the series. The Jazz bounced back with a 103-95 win over the Clippers last night, while the Trail Blazers lost 95-77 at Denver in the second game of a back-to-back on Tuesday. Looking at the NBA spreads for tonight’s games, the oddsmakers have the Trail Blazers favored by just 1-point over the Jazz at home.
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The Jazz were without Andrei Kirilenko and C.J. Miles in their win over the Clippers last night, and could be without both players tonight. Kirilenko is more than likely not going to play, but Miles could be ready to go, as he was just battling the flu. Mehmet Okur might also miss tonight’s game with a back injury.
If the Jazz are short handed they are going to need a big game out of Deron Williams and Al Jefferson. Williams had just 16 points last night in the win over LA, but led Utah with 31 points on Monday against the Trail Blazers. Al Jefferson came away with 31 points and 10 rebounds last night, but needs to be more of a factor against the Jazz, as he had just 11 points Monday.
As for the Trail Blazers they continue to move forward without All-Star Brandon Roy, and a big reason they continue to win games, is the play of LaMarcus Aldridge down low. In the last five games Aldridge is averaging 21 points and 11.8 rebounds a came. In his last game against the Jazz, he had 26 points on 10 of 19 shooting.
Portland was without Marcus Camby against the Nuggets, and he is listed as questionable tonight. Without Camby the Trail Blazers just don’t have that inside presence that keeps opposing teams out of the paint, and I think they will have a hard time stopping the Jazz without him.
This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Jazz, but while most teams struggle in this situation, the Jazz have thrived. Utah is 6-2 in these games, including their win at Portland earlier this season.
While the Trail Blazers are 10-3 at home, I think the right play is on the Jazz in this one, as they still have their two best players in Williams and Jefferson, while Portland continues to play without Roy, who is arguably their best player. If you do decide to go with the Jazz, be sure to check out the money line, as you really don’t gain a whole lot by betting Utah +1 and paying the -110 juice.
For more help with who to take this season, check out what our expert handicappers have to offer in their daily NBA picks.
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