Houston Rockets - Utah Jazz Basketball prediction

The Houston Rockets will aim for their second win of the season when they host the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference showdown Wednesday night from the Toyota Center. The Jazz are coming off a 92-84 home loss to the Grizzlies, and the Rockets dropped a 115-112 road decision against the Clippers in their previous contest. The Rockets defeated the Jazz in all four meetings last season, and they also ousted Utah in five games in the second round of the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz head into this tough matchup riding a mini two-game losing streak which included a 92-84 home loss to Memphis on Monday night. The Jazz only shot 35% from the field, while holding Memphis to a 37% clip. Donovan Mitchellwasn’t at his best in the defeat, netting 14 points on 6 for 17 shooting. The 22-year old shooting guard has yet to find a rhythm, shooting below 39% in all three games, and he is averaging 19 points on the season. Mitchell averaged 16.3 points in four games against the Rockets last season. Rudy Gobert has tallied a double-double in all three games this year which included 11 points on 12 boards on Monday night. The 7-foot-1 center features a stellar 71% field goal efficiency, and he is posting 15.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Gobert only averaged 12 points in 6.7 rebounds in three games against Houston last season.
The Jazz thrive on their strong defensive play, although they have not found a groove on defense through three games, which included a 124-123 home loss to Golden State this past weekend. Ricky Rubio has started slow, averaging 6.7 points through three games. Utah is scoring an average of 110 points through three games, ranking them 20th in the NBA. They are allowing an average of 111 points, pegging them 15th overall.
The Rockets return to Houston for a three-game home stand starting with a matchup against Utah. They were out-rebounded 54-43 in a 115-112 road loss to the Clippers on Sunday night. James Harden was productive in the defeat, netting 31 points on 11 for 26 shooting paired with 14 assists. The 29-year old star point guard has scored over 30 points in two straight games, and he is averaging 28.3 points on 45% shooting in three games. Harden was outstanding against Utah last season, averaging 34.3 points in four games. Clint Capela is coming off his best performance of the season in Sunday’s loss, accumulating 23 points on a sizzling 78% field goal efficiency. The 6-foot-10 center is averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds on the season.
The Rockets will again be without Chris Paul as he is serving the second game of a suspension. Houston dropped their lone home game by a 133-112 score against the Pelicans last week. Carmelo Anthony is off to a solid start with his new team, posting 16.7 points on 61% shooting.  The Rockets are again an offensive powerhouse, and they are currently averaging 116 points in three games, ranking them ninth in the NBA. Houston is conceding an average of 120.3 points, positioning them 21st overall.
The Houston Rockets are:

• 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
• 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 Wednesday games.
• the favorite is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings between the Jazz and Rockets.

• 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Rockets.
• 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent allows 100 or more points in their previous game.
• 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall

I am siding with the Rockets with this small spread. The Rockets have scored at least 112 points in all three games this season. They were able to shoot 48% and sink 15 three’s against the Clippers in Chris Paul’s absence in their latest action, and Utah’s three-point defense hasn’t been sharp as opponents are shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc against them through three games.
In addition, the Rockets won all four regular season meetings against the Jazz last season, and they averaged a stellar 116.3 points in those four wins. Utah just lost 92-84 against Memphis in their latest action, and the Rockets should hand them another loss.