Posted on
4/11/2008 6:19:09 PM
NBA Basketball Betting - Denver at Utah
By Charles Jay
BetUS NBA basketball betting matchup:
WHO: Denver Nuggets (48-31 SU, 41-36 ATS) at Utah Jazz (52-27 SU, 44-35 ATS)
WHERE: Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City
WHEN: Saturday, April 12 at 9 PM ET
Here are some of the NBA basketball betting trends that are relative to this matchup:
(Trends are current through April 10)
* DEN has won eight of its last 11 games SU
* DEN has covered two of its last seven games
* DEN has played four of its last six games OVER the total
* DEN has won five of its last seven road games SU
* DEN has covered six of its last eight road games
* DEN has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total
* UTAH has won seven of its last nine games SU
* UTAH has covered its last five games
* UTAH has played five of its last eight games OVER the total
* UTAH has won 25 of its last 26 home games SU
* UTAH has covered nine of its last 11 home games
* UTAH has played four of its last five home games OVER the total
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:
* UTAH has won and covered eight of the last ten meetings SU
* UTAH has won and covered four of the last five meetings SU as the home team
* The last six meetings have gone OVER the total
* UTAH has had the shooting edge in seven of the last ten meetings
* UTAH has had the rebounding edge in nine of the last ten meetings
Utah is the NBA's most dominant home team, winning 25 of its last 26. But that's just half the story - the Jazz has covered nine of its last 11 in the Energy Solutions Arena, and has been playing with a little more intensity on the defensive end. Defense is something the Nuggets have been struggling with, especially as they allowed 126 points in regulation time to Seattle before dropping a 151-147 decision in double overtime.
Denver is certainly battling for its playoff life, but Utah is jockeying for position as well, as it is sixth in the West but can move up with a couple of wins. The good news for George Karl's team is that it has shot just over 50% from the field over the last three games. The bad news is that the Jazz does that on a regular basis, and after the recent "cold" spell against defensive-minded New Orleans, San Antonio and Dallas, they may be due for a bustout game.
We want to stick with the team that has shown it can really take care of business at home. That's a Utah squad that has a 27-12 ATS mark (best in the league) at home and is the favorite in the BetUS NBA betting odds.
JAY'S PREDICTION: UTAH BY 20
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)