Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
At 7:30 ET, the Brooklyn Nets (-141) will host the Utah Jazz (+119) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is 221.5 points.
Utah enters this game with a record of 6-20, which is good for 14th in the Western Conference. Brooklyn is 11-16 and sits 10th in the Eastern Conference.
UTAH JAZZ VS BROOKLYN NETS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Jazz +2.5
This game will be played at Barclays Center at 7:30 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-71 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 15 threes.
Can Utah Pull Off a Road Win?
After a 126-119 win over the Pistons on Thursday, the Jazz improved to 6-20 this season. Utah, who entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The total points for the game hit 245, surpassing the O/U line of 227.5.
The Jazz started strong, leading 48-19 after the 1st quarter, thanks to a 10-0 run. However, the Pistons fought back, winning the 2nd quarter 35-19 and the 3rd quarter 32-30. Utah entered the 4th quarter with a 97-86 lead and held on, despite being outscored 33-29 in the final period.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz to a win over the Pistons with 30 points and 7 assists, hitting 5 threes at a 71.4% rate. Keyonte George added 28 points, knocking down 7 threes at 53.8%, while Lauri Markkanen contributed 27 points and 14 rebounds.
Utah connected on 20 threes, shooting 50% from deep and 47% overall. Sexton scored 13 points in the 1st quarter, while Markkanen added 13 in the 3rd.
The Jazz defense shined in the 1st quarter, allowing just 19 points, but they struggled in the 2nd, giving up 35. The Pistons scored 32 and 33 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, respectively, but Utah still managed to secure the win.
Overall, the Jazz held Detroit to 43% shooting and just 27% from three-point range, with the Pistons making 13 threes. The Pistons also went 14/18 from the free-throw line. Utah grabbed 47 defensive rebounds, gave up 13 offensive boards, and recorded 5 steals and 8 blocks.
Pressure Builds for Brooklyn as Home Favorites
The Nets improved to 11-16 this season with a 101-94 road win over the Raptors on Thursday. Brooklyn, who entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs, not only picked up the win but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 195, falling well short of the 219-point O/U line.
Brooklyn took control in the 4th quarter, holding Toronto to 18 points while scoring 31. An 11-0 run broke a 90-90 tie, giving the Nets a 101-90 lead before the Raptors added a few late points.
In their win over the Raptors, the Nets shot just 40.2% from the field and struggled from three-point range, hitting only 9 threes at a 23.1% clip. Cameron Johnson led the way with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting 60% from the floor and making 4 threes at 40% efficiency.
Johnson scored 15 points in the 4th quarter, while Shake Milton and Noah Clowney each added 6 of their 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the final period. Ben Simmons also contributed 12 points, with 5 coming in the 2nd quarter.
The Nets put together a strong defensive performance on Thursday, holding the Raptors to just 94 points. Brooklyn was especially effective in the 4th quarter, where they allowed only 18 points. Overall, the Nets limited Toronto to 39% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Raptors hit 15 threes on 34% shooting. Brooklyn sent Toronto to the line 14 times, where they made 11 free throws. The Nets also recorded 38 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and added 6 blocks.