Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 3-4-2024 – Stat Salt
The Washington Wizards (9-51) will look to snap their 14-game losing streak against the Utah Jazz (27-34) on Monday night. The Jazz won the first meeting between these two teams 123-108 back on January 25th. The Wizard’s losing streak continued after they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers on the road. Washington is now tied for the worst record in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons. Utah continued their own losing streak as they dropped their third straight game against the Miami Heat. The Jazz sit in 11th place in the Western Conference and are six and a half games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM EST from the Delta Center.
Wizards are now tied for the worst record in the NBA
The Wizards lost their 14th straight game as they fell to the Clippers 140-115. The Clippers dominated this game after the first quarter and went into halftime with a 15-point lead. The Wizards shot 46.9% from the field and 35.3% from three while allowing the Clippers to shoot 57.4% from the field and 40.6% from three. The Wizards were out-rebounded by 10 but managed to outscore the Clippers in fast break points and points in the paint. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 32 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Poole finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 21 minutes off the bench while Deni Avdija finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Marvin Bagley III added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Wizards are averaging 114.6 PPG and rank second in the NBA in points in the paint per game, third in fast break points per game, ninth in assists per game, and 10th in field goals made per game. The Wizards are giving up 124.6 PPG and rank ninth in the NBA in steals per game and 29th in opponents’ field goal percentage and opponents’ field goals made per game. Overall, the Wizards are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating and 29th in defensive rating.
Jazz nearly knock off the Heat on the road
The Jazz hung around with the Heat for nearly the entire game and simply could not make enough plays down the stretch to win this game. The Jazz cut the Heat lead to three with 3:44 left in the game but ultimately fell 126-120. Utah out-rebounded Miami by eight points but were outscored 62-50 in points in the paint. Keyonte George led the Jazz with 31 points, four rebounds and four assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and six assists while John Collins scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Collin Sexton added 18 points and five assists.
Utah is scoring 117.5 PPG this season and they rank fifth in the NBA in free throws made per game and points in the paint per game, eighth in assists per game, and 12th in three-pointers made per game. The big struggle for the Jazz this season has come on the defensive end as they are giving up 120.5 PPG and are allowing opponents to shoot 48.4% from the field and 39% from three. The Jazz are second in the NBA in total rebounds per game and are eighth in blocks per game. Overall, Utah is 15th in the NBA in offensive rating and 25th in defensive rating.
Sunday’s Top Plays
Today’s Top Plays
David Delano – 16-1 CBB Run – Grab David’s Top College Basketball play for Sunday For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
MIT Simulator – 19-4 NBA Run – Snatch Up MIT’s Sunday NBA Backboard Breaker For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
David Hess – 22-8 CBB Best Bet Run – Snag David’s Sunday CBB Totals Destroyer For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Scott Steehn – 10-2 CBB Best Bet Run – Grab Scott’s Sunday Big 10 Blaster For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Best Bets
Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen (right quad contusion) in this game but they have more than enough to beat this Wizards team. The Wizards have not played winning basketball this season and they are at the bottom of the NBA offensively and defensively. The Jazz have a young backcourt duo in Collin Sexton and Keyonte George who have played very well for the Jazz as of late and will have a field day against a Wizards team that is 29th in defensive rating. The Jazz have played well on the offensive end this season and have done a great job getting into the paint and either finishing or getting fouled. The Wizards are 29th in the NBA in opponents’ two-point percentage and 22nd in personal fouls per game. The Jazz will be slightly undermanned in this game but they will able to take advantage of the Wizard’s offensive and defensive struggles and cover the spread at home.
Prediction: Utah Jazz -6.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
Both of these teams have struggled on the defensive end this season but this O/U line is way too high. The Jazz will not have their leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen in this game who scored 29 points and dished out five assists in the first game against the Wizards. The Wizards have been one of the most inconsistent offensive teams in the NBA and they are not only shooting the ball poorly but are turning the ball over a lot. The Wizards scored just 108 points in the first meeting with the Jazz and shot just 23.3% from three. As bad as these teams have been defensively neither team has played well enough on the offensive end to lean towards the over and with the Jazz not fully healthy, they will not score 123 points again. Take the under.
Prediction: Under 240.5
