Cavaliers vs Jazz Betting Odds – Jazz will be smooth versus Cavaliers
NBA Odds: Pick Bulls to cover, Celtics to win |
The Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds had potential to be an NBA final a couple of years ago but while the Cavaliers have climbed the ladder, the Jazz have fallen down a few rungs. While the Jazz are fighting to be in the top eight in the Western Conference, they’ve been impressive in a recent stretch. Look for that hot streak to continue as the Cavaliers visit on Thursday.
| WHAT: NBA betting |
| WHEN: Thursday, January 14th, 10:30 PM ET |
| WHERE: Energy Solutions Arena – Salt Lake City, UT |
| KEY STAT: James averages 30.2 points per game versus Utah |
The Storyline - Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown
The Jazz are just four games over .500 but NBA odds cappers should note that their recent stretch has been impressive. The Jazz have won three of their last four with wins in Dallas and home to Miami by an average margin of 23.5 points per game.
Meanwhile, it’s been straight business as usual for Cleveland. They have also won three of four and nine of 11. They are back to rolling like they were last year and the only thing that will stop this team is some tough West Coast road games. This could be one of them.
Offensive Matchups - Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown
James is a really tough matchup for Utah. No matter who they have used in the past to cover him, he has consistently burned them. Now the Cavs have more size with Shaquille O’Neal in the middle, which only adds to the Jazz problems. The Cavs will need support for James on the road, though – he can’t be the one-man show.
Utah has been playing much better of late and the reason for it has been scoring. They have topped the 100-point mark in three of their last four games and that has propelled them to wins. Andrei Kirilenko has been starting recently in place of C.J. Miles and he has given the frontline a boost while Wesley Matthews has been fantastic off the bench.
Betting Edge: Even
Defensive Matchups - Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown
The Cavs defense has been a little better than Utah this year but the two teams are close. The Cavs have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game while the Jazz are a bit further behind, ranking eighth. In the first meeting between the teams, the Cavs were without Shaq, so the Jazz should see a big impediment in the paint when they try to score this time around. Considering how Shaq has played this year, though, Sportsbook bettors know it might not make a big difference.
Utah’s brand of defense is the team variety but they need someone to shutdown James. Kirlenko, Ronnie Brewer and others have tried, but it hasn’t been too effective. For the Jazz, getting burned by James isn’t a big deal. He burns everyone. If they can limit his teammates, they should be fine.
Betting Edge: Even
Notable Injuries - Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown
The Cavs are without Jamario Moon and Leon Power while the Jazz are without C.J. Miles (flu), while Ronnie Price vowed to play against the Cavs.
Betting Edge: Even
Betting Prediction - Cavaliers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown
Back on November 14th, the Jazz gave the Cavs all they could handle in a 107-103 loss. Deron Williams didn’t even play in that game, so it should give the Jazz plenty of confidence playing at home. Look for another big, confidence-boosting win on Thursday.
Craig’s Pick: Jazz
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