Utah Jazz vs Detroit Pistons Betting Pick & Prediction 12/19/24

The Pistons (-192) are 4.5-point favorites against the Jazz (+161) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for the game is 227.5 points.

Utah has lost three straight and is 14th in the Western Conference at 5-20. Detroit is 10th in the East at 11-16.

UTAH JAZZ VS DETROIT PISTONS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Utah Jazz +4.5

This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, December 19th.

WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-121 in favor of the Jazz.
• Our projections have Lauri Markkanen finishing with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.
• From the field, we have the Jazz finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.7% and knocking down 15 threes.

Will the Jazz Win in Detroit?

After a 144-107 loss to the Clippers on Monday, the Jazz’s record dropped to 5-20. Utah, who entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 251, well over the pre-game line of 221.5.

The Clippers went on a 10-0 run early, stretching the score from 7-3 to 17-3. Utah trailed 44-20 after the 1st quarter and 81-47 by the 4th. The Jazz managed to keep the 3rd quarter close, losing it 34-33, but the Clippers closed out the game by winning the 4th quarter 29-27.

The Jazz struggled offensively in their loss to the Clippers, scoring just 107 points on 45% shooting. They connected on 13 threes at a 33.3% clip, both marks being average for them.

Jordan Clarkson led the way with 20 points, including 10 in the 3rd quarter. Lauri Markkanen added 17 points, while Collin Sexton chipped in 15, shooting 70% from the field.

It was a tough defensive night for the Jazz, who gave up 144 points to the Clippers, including 44 in the 1st quarter and 37 in the 2nd. The Jazz allowed 34 points in the 3rd and 29 in the 4th, as the Clippers shot 59% from the field.

Utah struggled to defend the three-point line, where the Clippers hit 21 threes at a 53% clip. The Jazz sent the Clippers to the line 32 times, where they made 25 free throws. Defensively, the Jazz had 8 steals and 3 blocks.

Can the Pistons Grab a Win at Home?

The Pistons improved to 11-16 on the season with a 125-124 win over the Heat on Monday. Detroit, who entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The total score of 249 points went well over the pre-game line of 219.5.

Detroit took control with a 10-0 run, stretching the score from 63-59 to 73-59. They dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring Miami 34-22, but had to hold on after the Heat came back strong in the 4th, winning that quarter 33-17.

Malik Beasley knocked down 7 threes, shooting 53.8% from deep, and finished with a team-high 28 points in the Pistons’ 125-124 win over the Heat. Detroit hit 20 threes as a team, shooting 50% from beyond the arc and 48.9% overall from the field.

Cade Cunningham contributed a triple-double with 20 points, 18 assists, and 11 rebounds, while Ausar Thompson added 19 points and 9 boards. Tim Hardaway scored 9 of his 16 points in overtime.

Defensively, the Pistons had their best quarter in the 3rd, allowing just 22 points, but they gave up 33 in the 4th. Overall, they allowed 124 points on 45% shooting from the field.

From three-point range, the Pistons held the Heat to 27% shooting, with Miami making 12 threes. Detroit also recorded 8 steals and 4 blocks.