Posted on 4/18/2008 5:43:53 PM

NBA Basketball Betting - Jazz vs. Rockets

By Charles Jay

NBA Western Conference Playoffs

UTAH JAZZ (54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS) vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (55-27 SU, 47-33-2 ATS)

BetUS NBA Basketball Betting Odds

Series Price

UTAH -230

HOUSTON +180

The Schedule:

Game 1 — April 19, Jazz at Rockets, 9:30PM (ESPN)

Game 2 — April 21, Jazz at Rockets, 9:30PM (TNT)

Game 3 — April 24, Rockets at Jazz, 10:30PM (TNT)

Game 4 — April 26, Rockets at Jazz, 10:30PM (ESPN)

Game 5 (if necessary) — April 29, Jazz at Rockets, TBD

Game 6 (if necessary) — May 2, Rockets at Jazz, TBD

Game 7 (if necessary) — May 4, Jazz at Rockets, TBD

This is an unusual setup, in that despite the fact that Utah, as a division winner, gets the higher seed in the conference, it is Houston that has the home court advantage by virtue of having the better record. Utah won two of three against Houston in the regular season, although it should be noted that the game Houston won was at Salt Lake City. Why is that significant? Because the Jazz, for most of the season, was a team that was almost indomitable (in fact, 29-12 against the number) on its own home floor (Energy Solutions Arena).

Houston had a 22-game winning streak this season, which was remarkable in a sense in that much of it was done without the services of Yao Ming, who was declared out for the season with an injury. Yet the absence of Yao, who averaged 22 points and 10.8 rebounds, is exactly what is going to compromise this team in the playoffs. There are just too many quality big men in this conference, and playoff basketball can be a very physical thing. Tracy McGrady (21.8 ppg) remains, but I've had severe doubts that he could be a championship player, ever since he left a perfectly good situation in Toronto years ago, just because he wanted to be "the man."

Not as critical as Yao's absence, but important nonetheless, is the hamstring injury to Rafer Alston that will keep the Rockets' point guard out of action for at least the first two games at the Toyota Center. Alston's backup, former Sacramento super sub Bobby Jackson, has plenty of experience, but he has been bothered by a knee injury. This is a heavy burden to carry when dealing with Utah's point man, Deron Williams (19 ppg, 10.6 apg, 51% shooting), who is doing his best John Stockton imitation. Carlos Boozer (21.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg) is a murderous inside player, someone the Rockets don't really have much of an answer for. And Kyle Korver and Mehmet Okur give the Jazz a couple of three-point specialists who may draw big people out to guard them.

Utah always seems to be deceptively good. That's probably a testament to coach Jerry Sloan. And if some of its recent outings are any indications, they are toughening things up on the defensive end, allowing just 66 points to New Orleans and 64 to San Antonio. The potential Achilles heel is a 17-24 SU record on the road, but the Jazz was 6-0-1 ATS as a home favorite in last year's playoffs and made it to the West finals. They may be able to do it again.

JAY'S PREDICTION: UTAH (-230) IN SIX GAMES

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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)