Bob Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Utah Jazz vs Golden State Warriors: Are the Warriors contenders this season?
The Golden State Warriors are hosting the Utah Jazz at Chase Center on Saturday.
The Jazz have won the last two games
The Utah Jazz are 12th in the Western Conference with a 31-50 record. After losing 13 straight games, the Jazz won the last two, 124-121 against the Houston Rockets and 110-109 last night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Utah is 12th in the league, scoring 115.7 points per game, and 13th by making 13 three-pointers per game. Lauri Markkenen is the best player on the team, averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
The Warriors can make a step further with a win
The Golden State Warriors are tenth in the Western Conference with a 45-36 record. After winning three straight games, they lost 114–109 to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors are sixth in the league, shooting 38% from three-point territory, and eighth, scoring 117.8 points per game. Steph Curry is the leading scorer on the team, averaging 26.3 points per game, followed by Klay Thompson with 17.7.
Betting Trends
The Warriors have covered the spread in six of the last seven games against the Jazz. Golden State is 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall, 2-6 ATS in the last eight home games and 2-4 ATS in the last six games against teams from the Northwest Division. The Jazz are 6-12 ATS in the last 18 games overall and 6-14 ATS in the last 20 games against teams from the Western Conference.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Warriors have been just good enough to stay competitive for a spot in the playoffs. They are tenth in the West with the same record as the Sacramento Kings and one win behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Therefore, this game is very important for the Warriors, who can get the home court advantage in a possible matchup against the Kings or even get to eighth place and have chances to make it to the playoffs. The Jazz are already out of the playoff race and have recently lost 13 consecutive games. The Warriors won all three games against the Jazz this season and will do the same tonight by covering the -10.5-point spread.
