NBA Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Spread and Prediction

In this game 1 first rounder between two Western Conference teams that their playoff placement was decided in the final game was decided in the final game of the regular season, the fifth Utah Jazz (48-34), are visiting the fourth Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34), who have lost only once in their last 5 games.

Date/Time:  04-15-2018, 18:30 EDT

Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder -3

Total: +206.5

Oklahoma had a 48-34 record (34-47-1 ATS) in the regular season and were tied with two more teams in the 4^th  place of the West. They are 4-1 in their last 5 and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Memphis at home with a 137-123 score. Russell Westbrook leads the team in scoring with 25.4 ppg, adding team-bests both in boards with 10 and in dimes made, with 10.2 per game. He is followed by Paul George with 21.9 ppg and 5.7 boards per game.

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Utah had a 48-34 record (43-39-0 ATS) in the regular season and were tied with two more teams in the 4^th place of the West, but ended up 5^th after losing one tie-breaker. In their latest matchup they saw a 6-game winning streak end with a crucial road loss by Portland with a 92-102 score. Donovan Mitchell leads the team in scoring with 20.5 ppg in his first NBA season, while Rudy Gobert adds 13.5 ppg and a team-best 10.7 boards per game. Ricky Rubio adds 13.1 ppg, 4.6 boards and a team-best 5.3 dimes per game.

In their four meetings this season, Oklahoma led Utah 3-1 wins and they won both games at home by an average of 17 points. Oklahoma have a 27-14 home record this season, while Utah are 20-21 on the road. Oklahoma have a better offense with 107.9 ppg to Utah’s 104.1, while Utah are better defensively, allowing a second-best 99.8 ppg to Oklahoma’s 104.4. Utah have better accuracy both from the field (46.18% to 45.31%) and from behind the arc (36.58% to 35.38%). They also dish more assists (22.4 to 21.3), while Oklahoma grab more rebounds (45.1 to 43.3). It is going to be a close game and expect them home court advantage to be a major factor. The mediocre on the road Jazz don’t pose a threat in Oklahoma, so pick Thunder for a win by more than 3 points.  

Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder -3 (-111)