Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz u204.0
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
December 11, 2015, 7:00PM MST
Our totals prediction tools point to a combined score of 201.1 (with individual factors readings ranging from 198.2 to 202.6) for this matchup. As such, we are betting UNDER 204 when the Thunder meet the Jazz in Salt Lake City this evening.
The UNDER has prevailed in each of the three meetings between these teams in calendar 2015, as well as in the last two head-to-head contests of 2014. Further, in spite of the explosiveness of the Durant/Westbrook tandem, the UNDER is 15-7 in Thunder games this season, and 2-8 in Oklahoma City's last ten out.
The Jazz too have exhibited a tendency toward lower scoring games. In aggregate, the UNDER is 12-8 when Utah has played this year. Thus, betting trends, in addition to our computer simulation-based work, support the UNDER in Utah this evening.
We anticipate that the expected scoring shortfall will come as a result of Utah disappointing relative to Las Vegas' implied team score of 100.25 (we think the Jazz can muster 97-98 tonight). This scenario is not much of a stretch considering that the Thunder rank 10th in Defensive Efficiency on the year, while Utah is 19th in True Shooting Percentage and 18th in Effective Field Goal Percentage.
Utah snapped a four-game OVER streak versus New York Wednesday. That game showcased the slower-paced, deliberate offense that has characterized the Jazz's style of play in recent years. We expect the Jazz to play true to themselves again tonight, as Coach Quin Snyder is undoubtedly aware of the potential peril of trying to shoot it out with the Thunder.
Back the UNDER.
Happy betting!!