It doesn’t seem to matter how well, or poorly, a team is playing in their own conference, they can quickly see things change when they play a team from the opposing conference. It’s always fun to see how teams who don’t see each other very often match-up, and it can be tricky to handicap those sorts of games. That’s all part of the fun of wagering, though, and we have a good one to watch this coming Wednesday night when the Toronto Raptors host the Utah Jazz. Toronto are in the hunt to win the Eastern Conference, while the Jazz are in a battle for the final playoff spot in the West. With so much to play for, this is definitely a game worth watching and placing a pro hoops odds wager on.
Utah Jazz Vs Toronto Raptors NBA Odds, TV & Game Info
When: Wednesday, March 2, 7:30 PM EST
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
TV: ROOT and TSN
Radio: Sportsnet 590
Live Stream: Watch TSN
NBA Odds: TBA
Why bet on the Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz (28-31) hauled themselves back into playoff contention last month after going on a run that saw them reel off 7-straight wins. They have fallen off the pace since that run, though, and have only managed 2 wins in their last 8. Despite that dip in form, they are still just a half game back of the Houston Rockets for 8th in the Western Conference, as well as having a 3.5 game lead over the Sacramento Kings who sit behind them in 10th. That little lead affords them some leeway, but they cannot afford to lose any more ground to the Rockets if they have designs of playing in the postseason. The Jazz have not been very good on the road this season, although they did manage to take out the Raptors, albeit on home court, when they faced them back in November. Utah are averaging 98.0 PPG, and are giving up 97.2 PPG.
Why bet on the Toronto Raptors
The Raptors (39-19) have spent the majority of the season in 2nd place behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. They edged a little closer to the lead by taking out the Cavs last week, but then followed that up with a disappointing loss on the road versus the Pistons. You have to like them back at home in this game, though, as the Raptors are a very impressive 21-6 when playing in their own building this season. They have gone 13-9 overall when playing teams from the West, and they have made short work of teams with a losing record this season, going 20-9 against that group. The Raptors know that the Cavs seem to be in disarray right now, and they will look to further close that 2.5 game deficit at the top by continuing to win. Toronto are averaging 102.3 PPG, and are giving up 97.9 PPG.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Yes, the Jazz were able to come away with the win when they faced the Raptors earlier this season, but they have failed to get the win in their last 2 visits to the Air Canada Centre. I like the Toronto to extend that to 3 on Wednesday night.
Utah Jazz 97 Toronto Raptors 102
