Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets 01/30/20 NBA Betting Odds and Preview

The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets face each other at the Pepsi Center on January 30, 2020.

These two Northwest Division rivals are currently battling for the top spot in the division. As of Tuesday, the Jazz hold a one-half game lead over the Nuggets in the divisional standings. Utah is coming off a loss to the Houston Rockets but they have won 19 out of their last 22 games played. The Nuggets held the lead in the Northwest Division early in the season but injuries have forced them to temporarily yield it to the Jazz. Denver is still without Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap, and Mason Plumlee as they hope to reclaim the top spot on Thursday night.

Jazz Lose to Depleted Rockets

The Jazz saw their four-game winning streak end at the hands of a depleted Houston Rockets on Monday night. The Jazz lost 117-126 to a Rockets team that played minus James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Clint Capela. Despite the loss, Utah had dropped just two games in their last 16 outings and they have taken the lead in the Northwest Division.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 36 points while Bojan Bogdanovic added 30 points. Rudy Gobert had 12 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks for Utah which lost the game despite shooting 51% from the field. The Jazz allowed Eric Gordon to put up a career-high 50 points on Monday night.

Utah’s defense ranks 6th overall at 106.2 points per game allowed. The Jazz are averaging 111.2 points per game which is 16th best in the league this season. They are ranked 12th in rebounding at 45.8 boards grabbed per contest and are 25th in passing at 22.3 assists per outing.

Denver Hit by Injuries

Injuries continue to hurt the Denver Nuggets. In their last game played, Denver played without Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap, and Mason Plumlee. The Nuggets got beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies 104-96 in a game where they shot just 38% from the floor and from behind the three-point arc. Denver has lost half of its last six games and they have fallen to 32-15 on the season.

Nikola Jokic led Denver with 25 points and 13 rebounds for his 22nd double-double in the last 28 games. Jerami Grant added 21 points for the Nuggets but rookie Michael Porter Jr. was held to eight points after scoring in double digits in seven consecutive games. The loss ended Denver’s streak of 38 straight games with 100 or more points scored.

The Nuggets rank 20th in scoring at 109.2 points per game this season. They have the 4th best scoring defense in the league at 106.0 points per game allowed. Denver is ranked 19th in rebounding at 44.8 boards grabbed per contest and they are 5th in passing at 26.2 assists per game.

Who Wins?

Utah is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played. The Jazz are 3-1 in their last four games played on the road, and 8-5 SU in their last 13 games against the Western Conference. Denver is 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played. The Nuggets are 3-2 SU in their last five games played at home, 10-3 SU in their last 13 games played against the Western Conference. Head to head, the Jazz are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Nuggets.

The Jazz are the hottest team in the Western Conference right now. They have lost just twice in their last 16 games played. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have been playing well and the Jazz are fully healthy right now with Mike Conley back in action. The Jazz head to this game after playing in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Denver has been hobbled by injuries to its starters. Right now, the Nuggets are without Murray and Millsap while back-up center Mason Plumlee is also out of action. They are coming off a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and have dropped half of their last six games. Denver beat the Rockets before Houston defeated the Jazz.

The Nuggets are a solid 18-6 SU at the Pepsi Center this season and the Jazz are 14-10 SU on the road this campaign. This should be an exciting matchup between the Northwest Division leaders. Denver has the advantage because they are playing at home but they are facing a red hot Jazz team that is aching to bounce back from a loss to the Rockets. The Jazz are playing at full strength right now.

Prediction: Utah Jazz

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Other Bets to Make

The Jazz are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. Utah is 3-1 ATS in their last four games played on the road, and 6-7 ATS in 13 road games against the Western Conference this season. The Nuggets are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games played. Denver is 3-2 ATS in their last five games played at home, and 6-6-1 ATS in their last 13 games played against their Western Conference rivals. Head to head, the Jazz are 5-4-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these two teams.

Utah has covered the spread in each of the last three meetings between these two teams The Jazz have outscored the Nuggets by an average of 7.67 points per game in their last three meetings although this is their first meeting this season. The Jazz head to Mile High playing in back to back nights. Denver hosts Utah minus Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap. Between fatigue and injuries to key players, I will roll with the former.

Prediction: Jazz +1.5

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The total has gone over in seven out of the last 10 games played by Utah. The Jazz have seen the total hit over in four out of their last five games played. The total has gone under in seven out of the last 10 games played by the Nuggets. The under is 3-2 in Denver’s last five games played at home. Head to head, the total has gone under in seven out of the last 10 games between these two teams.

I’m looking at a defensive game here. With two stars still out, look for the Nuggets to slow the game down even more. Denver has the 4th best scoring defense in the league while Utah is a mere two spots back at #6 with their 106.2 points per game allowed. Both teams are in the bottom half in scoring and Denver has failed to hit 110 points in six out of their last 10 games played. I like these teams to hit the under.

Prediction: Under 215.5

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