The Utah Jazz have a 2-5 spread record in their seven road contests, giving up 105 PPG in that span. Tyrone Corbin’s club head east for the front end of a back-to-back spot in Monday’s matchup against the New York Knicks.
Sportsbooks opened New York as a four-point favorite, remaining unchanged after mixed early
sports betting action.
NBA odds makers first set the
total at 195.5, with initial under wagers driving the digits down to 194.5.
Knicks rally past NetsNew York finished off a double back-to-back stretch with Saturday’s 99-92 victory as a 6.5-point home favorite against the New Jersey Nets. The Knicks struggled from beyond the arc, hitting 2-of-14, while outscoring New Jersey in paint points, 60-28.
Knicks guard Jeremy Lin notched a season-high 25 points off the bench, knocking down 10-of-19 field buckets. New York’s big men Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler logged 17 points each, while uniting for 14 rebounds.
The contest’s combined 191 points dipped below the total of 198, making the under 6-2 in the Knicks’ last eight games. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was held to a 3-for-15 night from the floor, while he and his mates sank 23-of-26 free throws.
Jazz edge out LakersUtah ended a two-game losing streak in Saturday’s 96-87 triumph as a 2.5-point home favorite against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz held Los Angeles to 38.7 percent field shooting, while edging out the Lakers in rebounds, 50-42.
Jazz mates Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap both logged a double-double, uniting for 34 points and 26 boards. Utah’s Earl Watson logged a season-high 11 assists, coming off the bench after missing one game with an ankle injury.
The duel’s combined 183 points ducked below the total of 187.5, bringing the under to 3-2 in the Jazz’ last five contests. Jazz guard Devin Harris went 0-for-6 from the floor, playing 21 minutes in his return after missing one game with a hamstring injury.
Back the UNDER at MSGMonday’s
matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (ET), with NBA TV providing the national television coverage.
This handicapper is backing the under, looking for a low-octane affair. Utah is playing the front end of a back-to-back and could mail it in early, while the Knicks take the floor for their fourth game in five days.
New York has seen its scoring dip over its last three home dates, while its defense held visitors to 94.3 PPG. The under is 7-1 in the Knicks’ last eight spots that followed a victory, while cashing at 4-1 in the team’s last five games against Western Conference foes.
Utah ranks in the league’s top 10 squads for rebounds (43.1 RPG), while holding opponents to 32.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Jazz should face less fire power in this affair than the 117.5 PPG allowed in their last two road contests, losing high-octane duels at Golden State and Dallas.
Both squads are among the league’s bottom five in draining three-point buckets, with the Knicks (30.4 percent) and Jazz (29.3 percent) ranking 26th and 30th, respectively. Look for the triples to not find the rims again here, giving ‘under’ backers the cashed tickets.