The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get back on a winning note when they take on the Utah Jazz tonight. The Cavs have dropped back-to-back games to the Warriors and Kings and have ended up in the loss column in three of their last four road games. LeBron James and co. will have their work cut out for them to escape with a victory as the Cavs are 1-7 SU in their last eight trips to Salt Lake City and opened as three-point underdogs.
- Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last five games vs Cleveland.
- Cleveland is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games.
- Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last five road games.
Luckily for Cleveland, Utah has been a dumpster fire this season at 15-21 SU and have took losses in 10 of their last 12 games. The Jazz desperately miss their all-star center Rudy Gobert, who has been out for the last seven games with a knee injury. And their defense has been awful without him as the Jazz are giving up 117 points per 100 possessions in those games, which is dead-last in the NBA during that span. Expecting Utah to put the clamps down on the Cavs may be a tall order in this one.
Cleveland, on the other hand, will be coming off two days rest and should be plenty motivated to secure the victory. Where they’ve fallen short on this road trip has been on offense as the Cavs were held to less than 100 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Cleveland has beaten this Jazz team already this season with Gobert in the lineup so taking them eat the points should be a lock for bettors tonight. Also, LeBron James turned 33 today and nothing would make the superstar happier than to go clubbing in Utah for his birthday.
The total opened at 206.5 and the UNDER may be a decent wager in this matchup. The UNDER has hit in five of Cavaliers last six road games and Utah has been horrendous offensively in the seven games without Gobert. The Jazz have only averaged 92 points per game in that stretch and the UNDER has hit four of their last six games at home.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Utah Jazz opened as 3-point underdogs at online sportsbook Sportsbook, while the NBA total line was sitting around 207 at Sportsbook for those who prefer OVER/UNDER betting on the total amount of points scored.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 105-96 result in favor of the Cavaliers. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to vanquish their hosts on Saturday, as they are 11-23-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Utah Jazz are 18-18 ATS. Cleveland is 17-17-1 against the points scored total betting line, while Utah is 17-18-1 versus the line. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Utah vs Cleveland injuries news.
The betting Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 3-rated Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the No. 6-rated Utah Jazz in this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Utah's No. 26-rated NBA squad against Cleveland's No. 21-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Utah rates No. 9 in the league with 11.19 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 2 with 12.54 per outing.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Cavaliers endured a 109-95 loss at the hands of the Kings on Wednesday, despite a 23-point effort from Kevin Love at Golden 1 Center.
- Cleveland is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
- Cleveland is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
- Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Utah is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Utah is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
- Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland home to Portland, Tuesday, January 2nd
Utah home to New Orleans, Wednesday, January 3rd
