The Oklahoma City and Utah Jazz have traded punches through the first two games of their series, and it doesn’t look like there is going to be a knockout blow any time soon. The series shifts to Utah for the third game after each side picked up a win in Oklahoma City.
These teams are so evenly matched that a series that goes seven games would not be a surprise. The Jazz would love to take 2-1 lead by securing this win on their home court. While Utah should be favored because of the location, don’t count out the Thunder.
Oklahoma City has the most talented player in this series in star point guard Russell Westbrook, which is always a key thing, especially in the playoffs. The first two games were close and this one figures to be competitive as well in NBA basketball odds.
Game 3 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10 p.m. ET at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Odds Analysis
The Jazz are listed as four-point favorites in this matchup. More than 59 percent of the action is on the Thunder to cover this spread.
The scoring total is listed at 207 points as this figures to be one of the lowest-scoring series in the first round because Utah prefers playing at a slow pace.
Utah is a -180 favorite on the moneyline, while the Thunder is the +155 favorite. Oklahoma City is getting picked at an 82 percent rate to pull off the upset as the betting public really likes these gambling odds.
Last Time Out
The Jazz entered the fourth quarter of Game 2 trailing Oklahoma City, and 12 more minutes of similar results would have resulted in an early 2-0 hole. However, Utah dominated the fourth quarter to pull out a 102-95 victory and head home with a victory.
Donovan Mitchell led the way with 28 points, while Ricky Rubio added 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Utah got nice contributions from all of its starters, as its starting five outplayed the Thunder’s starting unit even though Oklahoma City has the bigger star power.
Westbrook finished that contest with 19 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds but shot only 7-of-19 from the floor. Paul George added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Neither player had a positive impact down the stretch as Utah grabbed control.
Injury Report
Mitchell was questionable for Game 2 with foot soreness, but didn’t just see action but was the best player on the court. He has put up 55 points in his first two playoff appearances, which is the most ever scored by a player in their first two contests.
Michael Jordan had the old record with 53 points, so Mitchell is clearly in good company. The Jazz lost Gordon Hayward in free agency but Mitchell has stepped in as the team’s offensive star as a rookie. He is the go-to guy and has allowed others to settle into comfortable roles around him.
There isn’t a player more important to Utah’s success than Mitchell, and he will aim to have another nice showing in Game 3.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Thunder are getting a lot of love from bettors, but that’s mostly because they have the most recognizable names in the series. Utah finished with the same record as Oklahoma City in the regular season and gets this one at home.
The Jazz is the easy choice to both win this game and cover the spread in NBA basketball wagering. The “under” is the choice on the scoring total.
NBA ATS Pick: Jazz 104, Thunder 96
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