NBA Handicapping Predictions – Jazz vs Spurs
The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in this series over the Jazz with their Game 1 win and unless Utah has some players besides their big guns step up they will be in an 0-2 hole heading home.
Venue/ Stadium: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Time/Date: 7 PM EST May, 2 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Spurs -11.5
Over/Under: 204
Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview
The Spurs have won 11 straight games and they are big favorites tonight facing a Jazz team that was only 11-22 on the road this season. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker combined for 45 points in Game 1 and it is key in Game 2 that the Utah guards keep Parker from having another big game.
In Game 1 the Spurs beat the Jazz 106-91.
This season the Spurs were 43-20-4 ATS with an O/U record of 39-27-1 and the Jazz are 34-32-1 ATS with an O/U record of 32-33-1.
This season the Spurs are 4-1 facing the Jazz.
While Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap played well in Game 1 combining for 36 points and each shot at least 50% from the field the other starters struggled to shoot the pill. Gordon Hayward scored 17 points in Game 1, but was only 2/6 from the floor and the other 2 starters of Devin Harris and Josh Howard combined to shoot only 3/13 from the floor.
The Jazz said they would be more physical with Parker and Harris stated the San Antonio PG will be in for a “hard foul or two.”
One thing the Jazz have going for them in this game is that the Spurs will be without backup C Tiago Splitter, who is out with a wrist injury. Jefferson and Millsap will have to take advantage of this and hit the boards hard, especially on the offensive end of the court.
Millsap and Jefferson also have to play better D than they did in Game 1 where they allowed the Spurs to score 48 points within 5 feet of the basket. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Manu Ginobili only had 7 points on 3/10 shooting in Game 1 and if he struggles again the Jazz need to take advantage of that.
Not only does the Utah backcourt have to keep Parker from torching them, but they must also defend the 3-pointer better. In Game 1 the 2 San Antonio reserves of Stephen Jackson and Matt Bonner buried 5 of 8 of their 3-pointers.
In some betting trends for this Western Conference playoff match up the Jazz are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 11 points or more, and they have an Over record of 10-4 in their last 14 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Spurs are 21-5-1 ATS in their last 27 home games, 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite of 11 points or more, and they have an Over record of 12-5 in their last 17 home games.
Jason’s Pick: The spread is a big one, but I think the Spurs will win another blowout game tonight and cover the spread.
