Jazz at Rockets, Jan. 20: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet
The Houston Rockets (19-21) are just 4-14 on the road in the 2023-24 season, and they went 1-5 on a recently completed six-game trip, all versus Eastern Conference opponents.
The good news? Starting Saturday versus Utah, a Western Conference rival, the Rockets will begin a three-game homestand. In contrast to their road woes, Houston is 15-6 at home this season.
If you’d like last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
Saturday’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. Central and can be seen on the Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.
Here’s a look at Saturday’s lines:
- Point spread: Rockets -2.5
- Money line: Rockets -145 / Jazz +120
- Over/under: 234.5
Jazz at Rockets injury report:
Advice and prediction
After that 1-5 road trip, Houston currently finds itself on the outside looking in when it comes to the play-in tournament picture within the Western Conference. Teams need to finish in the top 10 to secure a berth in either the playoffs or the play-in tournament, and the Rockets have now slipped to No. 11 in the West standings.
The Jazz (22-21) are one of the teams that recently passed Houston in the standings, having won 12 of their last 15 games.
Even so, Houston enters Saturday’s game versus Utah with more rest (two days off vs. one); home-court advantage; and a clear incentive to make up for that recent drop in the standings. On the other side, the Jazz are well ahead of their expectations for the 2023-24 season and should be due for something of a regression to the mean.
The under (234.5) could also be a smart play. While Houston is just 15th in net defensive rating in January, they’re seventh for the 2023-24 season as a whole, and the recent return of Dillon Brooks should indicate that some bounce-back performances are in order.
Prediction: Rockets 116, Jazz 112
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
