Indiana Pacers AT Utah Jazz
Wednesday 1 December, 8:35 EST
Current Betting Line: Utah Jazz -7.5
Current total: 198
Current Moneyline: Utah -400 / Indiana +300
Utah enters this game as one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a six game winning streak. On Monday, they pulverized the Milwaukee Bucks, winning by 21. The Pacers come in rather mediocre, with a 9-7 record, though they, too, are riding a winning streak of two games. They have been excellent on the road, though, with a 5-2 road record.
The total has gone UNDER in five of Indiana’s last six games in Utah; and the total has also gone UNDER in five of Utah’s last six home games. Utah is 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games against Indiana.
Indiana comes into the game averaging 100.3 while giving up 96.4. Utah comes in averaging 101.6 while giving up 97.4. The teams combine for 201.9, slightly above the total set for tonight’s game of 198.
Some of the key matchups tonight:
Deron Williams vs. Darren Collison
While Collison has been a bit of a disappointment this year, compared to his gaudy stats at the end of last year with New Orleans, he is still one of the best young point guards in the game, and will be going against one of the top 3 point guards in the game in Deron Williams. Williams has size and muscle over Collison; Collison has speed and quickness over Williams. Look for both to utilize their respective strengths against one another. Deron Williams will muscle his way to the basket and may post up a little tonight, while Collison will look to use his speed to get by Williams and into the lane to create for himself or his teammates.
Roy Hibbert vs. Al Jefferson
Hibbert has emerged as one of the top centers in the league this year, following a summer of work with NBA legend Bill Walton. Hibbert comes into the game averaging 16.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, and 2.1 bpg. Over his last three games he is averaging 19.3 ppg and 10 rpg, though, so he has been performing better and better as the season has gone on. Jefferson is settling into place in Utah and sports numbers very similar to Hibbert’s – 16.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.5 bpg. Look for both teams to feed their centers tonight and the offense will be run through them. This marquee matchup could go a long way towards determining the outcome of the game.
Paul Millsap vs. Josh McRoberts/Tyler Hansbrough
McRoberts and Hansbrough have their work cut out for them tonight against Millsap. Though Millsap has not been putting up big numbers recently, he has the potential to do so tonight, though McRoberts is a fair defender. Millsap is having a career year with averages of 18.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg. McRoberts’ and Hansbrough’s inexperience will work heavily against them and this is a matchup Utah could potentially exploit and milk Millsap for a lot of points.
This game may end up being slightly closer than the 7.5 point spread given the Pacers’ strong play on the road. The big men will be the key to the game, while Collison and Williams will look to feed them and create for themselves. Expect a slower paced game tonight and keep in mind that the total has gone UNDER in five of Utah’s last six games.
