Vegas Line at this writing: Utah -3 (180)
Tonight’s ESPN late show features two hot teams as the Washington Wizards travel to Utah to take on the Jazz. The Wiz have won four straight including wins over Memphis and Portland after a brutal 2-8 stretch in late February and early March. Washington has still played its way out of a first round home court and currently sits fifth in the East a game and a half game back of Toronto and Chicago respectively. The Whiz have 15 games remaining but 10 of those are on the road so every win is a premium. The Jazz have won six straight and nine of 10 overall. At 30-36 it’s to late for the young building Jazz but Utah could shoot for .500 which would be a huge momentum builder heading into next year.
The home team has won and covered the last four games in the series and the Wizards are just 3-8 this year as a road dog of between 3-6 points. The over is 6-2 in the Wizards last eight games overall yet the Under is 3-0 this year after the Wiz have played 3+ straight Overs. The Jazz are on an 11-4-1 ATS run in their L15 with four of their last five home games staying under the total. The Under is 15-4 in all Jazz games since the ASB and Utah is allowing just 82.4 ppg. in its last five. Four of the last five in the series have gone Under the total. Washington won the first meeting 93-84 (-11.5, 195.5) in D.C. back on December 14th.
Washington:
The Wizards go as point guard John Wall (17.3, 4.5, 10.0) goes. Wall is a brilliant player at times but is one the league tops in turnovers and is quite capable of giving it a way 8-10 times in a game. When Wall is focused, he’s a hand full. Brad Beal (14.9, 3.4, 3.2) is an emerging star. Beal was out eight games with a stress contusion of the fubula and missed eight games which was not coincidently when the Wiz struggled. Washington has a deep strong front court to go along with a quality bench. Paul Pierce is third (12.5) in scoring and will bring plenty of veteran leadership come playoff time.
Utah:
Ex-Butler Bulldog Gordon Hayward (19.6, 4,2, 4.5) has really come into his own and worth the big money the Jazz gave him in an early extension. Derrick Favors (16.3, 8.2) is another top draft pick that has thrived in Salt Lake. Trey Burke (12.5, 2.6, 4.4 … Michigan) and Alec Burks (13.9, 4.4, 3.0 … Colorado, out for the season with a shoulder) complete the under-25 nucleus of a team that has drafted well and is on the improve if the team can be kept together.
Allen’s Angles
Washington is 4-9 ATS in its L13 vs. losing records
The Wiz are 10-2 ATS in the L12 road games where total opened 180-184.5
The Under is 15-8 when the Wiz are off 3+ straight home games
The Over is 7-2 in Washington’s nine game vs. the Northwest Division
The Jazz are 9-2 in their L11 vs. winning records
Utah is 9-4 this year off a double-digit win
The Under is 21-6 when the Jazz are off a non-conference game
The Under is 14-3 when Utah is favored