Detroit Pistons at Utah Jazz
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Utah Jazz will look to continue their impressive run against the Eastern Conference when they host the Detroit Pistons Monday night. Utah is 11-1 against the Western Conference this season, with their only loss coming against Miami. The Jazz come into the game off a 98-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, their fifth win in their last seven games. The Pistons really struggled against the Sun in their last game, losing 92-75 at Phoenix. Take a look at the spreads for tonight’s games, the oddsmakers have the Jazz favored by 9-points over the Pistons at home.
This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, and if the Pistons had their choice, they would likely rather not play the Jazz at all. Utah has won 10 straight over Detroit, and the Pistons are just 2-16 all-time at EnergySolutions Arena.
The Pistons are hoping that their leading scorer, Rodney Stuckey will be able to return to the lineup tonight. Stuckey has missed the last two games with a stomach virus.
The Pistons could have really used Suckey in their last game against the Suns, as the Pistons managed just 75 points on 40.8% shooting, against a Suns team that is allowing 108.4 points per game. Ben Gordon led just three Pistons who scored in double-figures with 19 points.
Detroit is just 3-14 away from home this season, and with the way they have struggled at Utah lately, its hard seeing them coming away with a win tonight.
Paul Milsap led the charger for the Jazz with a team-high 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds against the Grizzlies, while Deron Williams added 19 points and five assists.
Utah has really been getting some nice production out of their second unit, as the Jazz outscored the Memphis bench 32-6, thanks to 13 points from rookie Gordon Hayward, who has really started to contribute more lately.
The Jazz have been without Mehmet Okur for the last two games, and C.J. Miles for the last three. Okur has been battling a bad back, while Miles has had to deal with the flu. While Okur isn’t likely to play, the hope is that Miles will be ready to return. Miles is averaging 12 points this season, and would give the Jazz even more options off the bench.
I think you have to take the Jazz at -9 in this one. Detroit simply doesn’t play well at Utah. Not only are the Jazz 11-1 against the Eastern Conference overall, they are 11-1 ATS as well!
Got something to say?
