Preview: Thunder vs. Jazz
In a highly anticipated Western Conference showdown, the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Thunder, who are currently second in the conference with a solid 27-13 record, will be looking to snap a two-game losing skid. Meanwhile, the Jazz aim to continue their impressive momentum, seeking their seventh straight victory.
Betting Odds
According to BetMGM, the Thunder enter the contest as 3.5-point favorites. Despite recent stumbles, including losses to the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City is poised for a rebound performance. On the other side, the Jazz have been formidable at home, boasting nine consecutive wins at the Delta Center.
Team Performances
Oklahoma City's aspirations of regaining their winning ways come after a 128-117 defeat at the hands of the Clippers. The loss was a blow to their pursuit of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who sit atop the standings, just two games ahead of the Thunder.
Utah, holding ninth place in the Western Conference, showed their offensive prowess in a dominant 132-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The team's resilience will be tested once more as they had previously endured the postponement of their game against the Warriors due to the tragic passing of Dejan Milojević.
The Jazz enjoyed a two-day rest period before the upcoming matchup, which could prove advantageous given the Thunder's grueling schedule—this being their third game in four days. However, Oklahoma City is coming into the game well-rested with no expected injuries and a day off prior to facing Utah.
Head-to-Head and ATS Records
Oklahoma City has dominated recent meetings between the two teams, winning their last four encounters, including a 134-120 victory earlier this season. When it comes to betting trends, the Thunder have covered the spread in 66.7% of their games overall, though that figure dips to 55.6% in road contests. They have lost four of their last six away from home and are 4-6 against the spread when favored on the road. Nevertheless, they tend to bounce back with a 69.6% cover rate after a day’s rest.
Conversely, the Jazz have only dropped three of their last 15 games and have an impressive 61% cover rate against the spread. At home, they've been particularly strong, leading the league with a 16-4-0 ATS record. As underdogs in their own arena, they've covered 76.9% of the time and are 4-2 ATS following a break of two to three days.
Player Spotlights
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a standout performer for the Thunder, averaging 31.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. He's not alone in his efforts, with Josh Giddey contributing 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have also been key players, posting averages of 18.6 and 17.4 points per game, respectively.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen's season average of 24 points per game has been instrumental in their success. Collin Sexton shined in their last outing, scoring 30 points with five assists against the Pacers. Additionally, Jordan Clarkson continues to be a reliable scorer, averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
Looking Ahead
The Jazz hold an extra rest advantage heading into the game, which could be crucial considering fatigue played a role in the Thunder’s recent loss to the Clippers. With the expectation that Utah will secure their tenth successive home victory, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two competitive teams.
As the odds suggest, while Oklahoma City might be the favorites, Utah's remarkable home ATS record and the rest advantage tilt the scales, possibly making them an attractive pick for bettors. "Utah Jazz +3.5 (-110 with BetMGM)" reflects the belief that the Jazz can keep the game closer than the point spread suggests or potentially pull off an upset.
With both teams having much to play for, Thursday night's clash promises to be an exciting chapter in this Western Conference rivalry.