Utah Jazz (9-26) vs Miami Heat (18-17)
Game Info: Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 9:00 pm (Delta Center)
Betting Odds: Utah Jazz +5.5 -- Over/Under: 222.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
The Miami Heat and Utah Jazz meet Thursday in NBA action at the Delta Center. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat lost to the Kings, beat the Warriors, and they play the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Lakers next. The Miami Heat are averaging 111.3 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 110.1 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 23.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler is averaging 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz beat the Magic, lost to the Hawks, and they play the Suns, Nets, and Hornets next. The Utah Jazz are averaging 111.6 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 118.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 19.9 points and 6.2 rebounds, while John Collins is averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. Collin Sexton is the third double-digit scorer and Jordan Clarkson is dishing 3.8 assists. The Utah Jazz are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Utah Jazz are allowing 36.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Heat have lost four of their last five games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have won each of the Heat's last three games at Delta Center.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last eight games between the Heat and Jazz.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as road favorites.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last eight home games.
- The Heat have won each of their last eight Thursday night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games at Delta Center against teams that held a winning record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in four of their last five road games against Northwest Division opponents.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Collin Sexton ranks 4th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.0%) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Bam Adebayo ranks 5th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. ranks 19th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (1.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.5).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for turnovers per game this season (18.4).
- The Heat rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (18.3).
- The Heat rank 3rd in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (14.6).
Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Prediction
I don't want to back the Miami Heat as much as the next guy, as they're still in rocky shape with losses in three of their last four games. The Heat are also still dealing with the Jimmy Butler drama. I'm not sure which version of the Heat will show up from night to night. However, the Heat are coming off a big upset win over the Warriors, which was a nice confidence boost. This is also a revenge spot for the Heat after blowing a 22-point lead against the Jazz last week. The Jazz have covered eight of their last 10 games, but they still suck defensively, and the recent outcome between these teams creates a revenge spot. The line is somewhat reasonable. Give me the Heat and the chalk.
Randy’s Pick Miami Heat -5.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
