NBA Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz Game 3 Spread and Prediction

Date/Time: 05-04-2018, 22:30 EDT

Spread: Utah Jazz +3.5

Total: +207

In this Western Conference semifinal, the top-seeded team in the West and the whole league the Houston Rockets (65-17), who lost the home court advantage after a shocking game 2 defeat, are moving to Utah for Game 3 against the 5^th Jazz (48-34), who will be looking to do a better job than their rivals in defending their home court.

In the second game of the series two days ago, the Jazz shot exceptionally both from the field (51.8%) and from the 3-point line (46.9%) and managed to get away with a precious 116-108 road victory that tied the series to one game apiece.

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Jazz had a 48-34 record in the regular season and finished in the fifth place of the league. They have won five of their last seven games. Rockets had a 65-17 record in the regular season and finished in the first place of the West and the whole league. In game two they saw a 3-game winning streak end with a home defeat by the Jazz, 116-108.  

Jazz are led in scoring by Donovan Mitchell with 26.1 ppg, adding 6.4 boards per game. Joe Ingles follows with 15.9 ppg, while Rudy Gobert adds 13.8 ppg and a team-best 11.2 boards per game. Rockets are led in scoring by James Harden with 31.1 ppg. The All-Star guard also adds 5.4 boards and a team-best 7.9 dimes per game. Chris Paul follows with 19.3 ppg and 6 dimes per game, while Clint Capela adds 16.6 ppg and a team-best 13.4 boards per game.

In their six previous meetings this season, Houston leads Utah 5-1 wins and they have won both road games. Utah have a 31-13 home record this season, while Houston are 32-11 on the road. Houston have both a better offense with 110 ppg to Utah’s 105.6 and a better defense, allowing 102.9 ppg to Utah’s 103.1. Utah have better accuracy both from the field (46.7% to 43.9%) and from behind the arc (37% to 35.7%). Jazz also grab more rebounds (45.8 to 44), while Houston commit less turnovers (9.3 to 15.8) and both teams dish almost the same number of assists (20.8 to 20.6). Rockets are too good to drop two straight game in such an important series and expect them to bounce back tonight and get away with the road win.

Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz Game 3 Prediction: Houston Rockets -3.5 (-112)