Houston (2-0) at Utah (0-2)
When: Saturday, April 20th, 2019
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 10:30 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Utah -3/216
The Houston Rockets have been predicted by many as the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference, and so far after two games, they very well could be. The Rockets have dominated the Utah Jazz in the first two contests of their best-of-seven first round series, winning by 32 and 20 points respectively. Houston averaged 120 points in the two home games with James Harden leading the way with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the Game 2 victory for his third career postseason triple-double. Utah head coach Quin Snyder knows his team needs to step it up against this explosive Houston offense. “The Rockets are playing at an unbelievably high level,” Snyder told reporters. “They’re going to make plays. The adjustment to that is to just keep competing. That’s the mindset that we have to have.” The Jazz split the four regular season meetings with Houston including a 118-91 victory on December 6th, holding Harden to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
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Harden is averaging a triple-double in the series (30.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10 assists), while knocking down 10 3-pointers. Guard Chris Paul chipped in 17 points in Game 2, but was just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc and has as many turnovers as assists (10). The Rockets did a great job getting to the foul line, and converted on 25-of-30 attempts in Game 2. Reserve guard Austin Rivers scored just eight points in the last game, but had a +21 rating, second to Harden’s +24.
The Jazz have generated zero offense so far on the road and hope that turns with the next two games in Salt Lake City. Utah shot 39.4 percent in the first two games and star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was 5-of-19 from the floor while scoring 11 points in Game 2 and is averaging just 15 points on 12-of-37 shooting in the series. Center Rudy Gobert (16.5) and point guard Ricky Rubio (16.0) have led the way scoring-wise, but the team as a whole are 15-of-65 from 3-point territory in the series.
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I know home court advantage is bigger in basketball than any other sport, but I can’t see the Jazz completely turning this around anytime soon. Houston is simply dominating and are on a mission. And, they’re getting points? Yeah, I’ll take it.
Pick: Rockets +2.5
Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
Rockets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Rockets are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Rockets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Jazz are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up loss.
Jazz are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a ATS loss.
Jazz are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.
Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Jazz are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Over is 4-1-1 in Rockets last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
Over is 4-1-1 in Rockets last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1-1 in Rockets last 6 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Under is 6-2 in Rockets last 8 Saturday games.
Under is 14-5-1 in Rockets last 20 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 13-5-1 in Rockets last 19 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 15-6-1 in Rockets last 22 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 12-5 in Rockets last 17 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 7-3 in Rockets last 10 road games.
Over is 5-1 in Jazz last 6 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Over is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 7-2 in Jazz last 9 Saturday games.
Under is 9-3 in Jazz last 12 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 9-3 in Jazz last 12 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Under is 5-2 in Jazz last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 7-3 in Jazz last 10 home games.
Rockets are 3-0-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Rockets are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Utah.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Utah.
Favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
