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The Houston Rockets look to end their first-round series against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night at their very own Toyota Center in Houston.
A Disappointment
The Jazz were supposed to provide a stiff challenge to the Houston Rockets in round one of the playoffs. There were several who believed that Utah’s defense could beat Houston’s offense in a seven-game series. But so far, the Utah defense has disappointed as it allowed over 114 points per game in the first three games of the series, allowing Houston to take a 3-0 lead. That same Jazz defense showed up in game 4 where they shut down the Rockets to 91 points.
Super sophomore Donovan Mitchell scored 19 of his 31 points in the third quarter of Game 4 to spark the Jazz to their first win of the series. Jae Crowder added 23 points while Ricky Rubio had 18 points and 11 assists for the Jazz who staved off elimination but will need to win in Houston the next time out to stay alive in the postseason
Jazz
+285
Rockets
-340
Odds from betonline.ag as of 4/24/19
Rockets Stalled
The Houston Rockets appeared ready to sweep the series when they took a commanding 3-0 lead by winning an “ugly” Game 3 where Harden mightily struggled. But the Rockets’ march to the next round was stalled after scoring just 91 points in Game 4 and getting outrebounded 35-52, including 9-16 on the offensive glass. The Rockets were also outscored 22-52 in the paint as Clint Capela battled a virus and was held to four points, seven rebounds, and zero shot blocks.
Once again, it was James Harden who top-scored for Houston with 30 points. Chris Paul had an excellent all-around effort in Game 4 with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while Eric Gordon chipped in 16 points for the Rockets in their losing effort. The Rockets also committed 16 turnovers that led to 21 points for the Jazz.
Who Wins?
The Jazz are 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played and Utah is 1-4 SU in their last 10 games played. The Rockets are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played and Houston is 5-0 SU in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Rockets are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against the Jazz. Houston is also 4-1 SU in their last five games played at home against Utah.
After allowing 114.67 points per game in the first three games of the series, The Utah Jazz defense finally showed up in Game 4 as they allowed just 91 points in a 16-point Game 4 win. The Clippers stayed alive in their series, but now will have to go back to the Toyota Center.
The Rockets blinked in Game 4 but you bet Harden and the troops will be better with Game 5 to be played on their home floor. The Rockets know they need to end this early so that they can rest if the Warriors don’t close out their series on Wednesday.
The Rockets are 7-2 SU as betting favorites while the Rockets are just 1-3 SU as betting underdogs. I think the Rockets are still on a roll despite their Game 4 loss and are going to get the job done at the Toyota Center on Wednesday night.
I’m picking the Houston Rockets to beat the L.A. Clippers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Other Bets To Make
The Jazz are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games played and Utah is 2-3 ATS in their last five games played on the road. The Rockets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played and Houston is an unbeaten 5-0 in their last five home games. Head to head, the Rockets are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games played.
Jazz
+8 (-115)
Rockets
-8 (-105)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 4/24/19
Utah is just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against Southwest Division teams. Meanwhile, the Rockets are on fire, going 6-0 ATS in their last six games. Of the four games played in this series, only one Game has been decided by less than 10 points and that was the “ugly” Game 3 where the score was 104-101 in Houston’s favor. Other than that, the winning team has won by at least 16 points.
Prediction: Rockets -8
The total has gone under in six out of the last 10 games played by the Jazz. The under is 14-13-1 in Utah’s 28 road games against Western Conference teams. The under is 5-3-2 in the Rockets’ last 10 games played. The total has gone under in 15 out of Houston’s 28 home games against Western Conference teams. Head to head, the under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 games between these two teams.
Jazz
O 213 -110
Rockets
U 213 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 4/24/19
The total has gone under in 9 out of the last 13 April games played by the Jazz. The total has gone under in four out of the last five April games played by the Rockets. The under is also 6-1 in Houston’s last seven games against the Pacific Division. The under is 3-0-1 in this series and these teams have topped 213 points just once in four games during this series. This has been a low scoring series, really and I don’t expect it to change in this game.
Prediction: Under 213
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