The Northwest Division is up for grabs this season, and the Utah Jazz hope to take advantage by exceeding expectations to take a run at it. Utah is close to the top of the divisional standings and can help its cause by capturing a home game against the Chicago Bulls early in the regular season.
The departure of Kevin Durant from Oklahoma City has led to some parity in the division, and the Jazz are off to a nice start. The spread in this one will be interesting. Utah has the better record but wasn’t expected to be great this year, so they may or may not be favored against Chicago.
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Odds Analysis
The Jazz are 7-4 straight up and 6-5 against the spread. Utah has been much better as the favorite, covering in five of those six attempts. Utah is only 1-4 against the spread as the underdog.
The Bulls are 6-4 straight up and also 6-4 against the spread. They have also covered five of six as the favorites, so the oddsmakers have generally been right when tabbing them as the team to beat.
The favored team in this one could have a leg up based on both of their performances with that status thus far in 2016.
Player to Watch
Gordon Hayward - Utah’s best player missed the first couple of weeks of the season with a broken finger but has been very impressive since his return. Hayward is averaging 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists on the year.
The Jazz are 4-1 with him in the fold. Hayward has scored 20 points or more in every game this season. His best game came against the Orlando Magic, when Hayward scored 20 points, added 10 rebounds and eight assists in an 87-74 victory.
Hayward is the clear go-to guy for Utah after ascending to that status, and if the Jazz have designs of making a surprising playoff run, it will be on the back of their star swingman.
Scheduling Situation
The Bulls will be in the second game of a six-game road trip when these teams face off. Chicago is 2-3 on the road this year and this one will be tough. The Bulls precede this one with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, and follow it up with games at the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bulls are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff mix and must tread water on this tough trip which includes a lot of West Coast foes. The game against the Jazz is early so the fatigue shouldn’t be setting in too badly, but the schedule is something to consider in this matchup.
Free NBA ATS Picks
There were plenty of questions about both of these teams entering the season but each have held up well. The Jazz aren’t going to be a legitimate contender in the West but would be happy to make the playoffs behind Hayward, George Hill and Derrick Favors.
The Bulls have rode Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo to their hot start and are in the same boat. They won’t be confused with the Cavaliers or Raptors in the East, but home court in the first round would be a realistic goal. This is a game between a pair of similar talent, so it’s an important for each of them in what should be a competitive game from start to finish.
In the end, Utah’s hot start may be a bit of a mirage and the Bulls could come away with the road win.
NBA Odds: Bulls 97, Jazz 95
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