Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz Betting Pick & Prediction 12/30/24

At 9:00 ET, the Jazz will host the Nuggets in a Western Northwest division matchup. The Nuggets (-264) are favored by 6.5 over the Jazz (+218). Utah has lost three straight and is 14th in the West, while Denver is 7th in the West and 2nd in the Northwest.

This game will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and can be seen on KJZZ.

DENVER NUGGETS VS UTAH JAZZ BETTING PICK

The Pick: Utah Jazz +6.5

This game will be played at Delta Center at 9:00 ET on Monday, December 30th.

WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-110 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 47.1% and knocking down 16 threes.

Are the Nuggets Ready for a Win at Salt Lake City?

The Nuggets improved to 17-13 on the season with a 134-121 win over the Pistons on Saturday. Playing at home, Denver entered the game as 6-point favorites and covered the spread, while the total score of 255 points exceeded the pre-game line of 235.

After trailing 38-36 in the 1st quarter, Denver took control by outscoring Detroit 31-23 in the 2nd quarter and 47-28 in the 3rd. The Pistons went on an 11-0 run in the 4th, but the Nuggets’ lead was too large to overcome.

Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to a 134-121 win over the Pistons, scoring 37 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 64.7% from the field and hitting 4 threes at 80%. Jamal Murray added 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, making 4 threes at 57.1%, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 26 points, hitting 5 threes at 71.4%.

Denver shot 56.1% from the field and made 13 threes at 48.1%. Jokić scored 16 points in the 1st quarter and another 12 in the 3rd, while Murray poured in 21 of his points in the 3rd quarter.

The Nuggets gave up 38 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up defensively in the 2nd, allowing just 23 points. They gave up 28 points in the 3rd and 32 in the 4th, finishing with 121 points allowed.

Denver held the Pistons to 30% shooting from three-point range, with Detroit making 12 threes. The Nuggets also sent the Pistons to the line 23 times, where they made 17 free throws. Denver finished with 9 steals and 6 blocks.

Will the Utah Defense Show Up at Home?

Utah fell to 7-23 on the season after a 114-111 loss to the 76ers on Saturday. Despite being +7.5 point underdogs, the Jazz kept it close at home, losing by just three points. The total score of 225 points narrowly went over the pre-game line of 224.5.

Utah started strong, going on a 12-0 run to take an early lead, but the 76ers responded by outscoring them 35-18 in the 2nd quarter. The Jazz bounced back in the 3rd, winning the quarter 29-24, and entered the 4th tied at 81-81. However, they were edged out in the final quarter, 33-30.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 23 points in their 114-111 loss to the 76ers, hitting 5 threes at 33.3% efficiency. He scored 11 of his points in the opening quarter. Collin Sexton and Brice Sensabaugh both added 20 points, with Sensabaugh shooting 60% from deep.

Utah connected on 12 threes at a 33.3% clip, shooting 48.3% overall from the field. Jordan Clarkson contributed 17 points, including 11 in the 3rd quarter, while Sensabaugh added 7 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Jazz had strong efforts in the 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing just 22 and 24 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 35 points in the 2nd and 33 in the 4th, leading to a 114-111 loss to the 76ers.

Utah held Philadelphia to 43% shooting overall, including 36% from three-point range, where the 76ers made 13 threes. The Jazz sent the 76ers to the line 37 times, where they converted 29 free throws. Utah finished with 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 10 offensive boards, and recorded 3 steals and 3 blocks.