Preview: Thunder Clashes with Jazz in a Pivotal Western Conference Showdown
In an eagerly anticipated Western Conference duel, the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 18th at 9:00 p.m. ET. The stakes are high as the Thunder look to bounce back from a recent slump and the Jazz aim to continue their impressive winning streak.
Oklahoma City Seeking Redemption
The Thunder, currently positioned second in the Western Conference with a commendable 27-13 record, find themselves as 3.5-point favorites according to BetMGM. Despite this edge, they're attempting to rebound from a two-game losing streak, which includes a tough 128-117 loss to the LA Clippers and a recent defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.
With no reported injuries and a day's rest under their belt, the Thunder are bracing for their third game in four days. History favors them slightly, given that they've triumphed over the Jazz in their last four encounters, including a convincing 134-120 victory earlier this season. However, their form on the road tells a different story, having lost four out of their last six away games and holding a 4-6 record against the spread as road favorites. Nevertheless, after a day’s rest, the Thunder have shown resilience, covering 69.6% of the time.
Jazz Riding High on Home Success
Contrasting the Thunder's recent wobbles, the Jazz are seeking their seventh consecutive win, buoyed by their nine straight victories at Delta Center. Despite sitting ninth in the conference standings, they have demonstrated formidable home-court prowess, boasting the league's best home game ATS (against the spread) record of 16-4-0. Additionally, when cast as home underdogs, the Jazz have covered 76.9% of the time.
Utah's last outing saw them overwhelm the Indiana Pacers in a dominant 132-105 performance, with Collin Sexton contributing a notable 30 points and five assists. Their momentum is further fortified by the extra rest advantage they hold over the Thunder, having had two days off prior to the clash. This rest could prove vital, especially considering that fatigue was cited as a factor in the Thunder’s recent loss to the Clippers.
The Jazz's resilience will be tested, however, as they had five players sidelined in their last match. Yet, the expectation is that Utah will secure their tenth successive home victory, capitalizing on their rest advantage and strong home form.
Key Players to Watch
As the teams prepare for the upcoming battle, individual performances will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the charge, averaging an impressive 31.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren also provide substantial contributions, with averages of 11.8 points, 18.6 points, and 17.4 points per game respectively.
On the Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen has been a standout performer, averaging 24 points per game this season. Jordan Clarkson continues to be a valuable asset as well, averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. These players, among others, will be central figures in what promises to be a riveting contest.
Betting Trends and Expectations
From a betting perspective, the Thunder have covered 66.7% of their games against the spread overall, but this percentage dips to 55.6% for road games. In contrast, the Jazz have covered 61% of their games against the spread and have proven particularly strong following a period of rest, with a 4-2 record against the spread after 2-3 days off.
Given the statistical insights and recent form, bettors might be inclined to take the points with the Jazz, especially considering their +3.5 (-110 with BetMGM) odds. The Thunder's recent losses and heavy schedule may weigh on their performance, while the Jazz's home record and additional rest could tip the scales in their favor.
As the anticipation builds towards tip-off, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance. The Thunder are fighting to close the gap with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings, while the Jazz look to climb higher in the Western Conference pecking order. With so much on the line, this matchup is set to be one of the most compelling of the season.