NBA Basketball
2011-04-09 - Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Saturday 9 April 2011 - Tip-Off 8:30pm ET
1:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The San Antonio Spurs (60-19) have completed their first aim of wrapping up the Number 1 seed in the Western Conference, but still have plenty to play for as they look to secure home court advantage in the Finals too.
They meet a Utah Jazz (37-42) team that will be having only their 2nd losing season in 28 years.
The Spurs secured the Number 1 seed after winning by 42 points, their most of the season, against Sacramento and then seeing Utah beat the LA Lakers. They have now won 3 in a row since losing 6 games in a row, their most in 14 years.
Manu Ginobili summed up the feelings of the players when talking about how securing the Number 1 seed is only the first of 4 steps for the team this season.
Utah have now lost 9 of their last 10 games as a bad season where Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams left town begins to wind down. The Jazz have averaged just 87.8 points per game in their last 6 games and they are struggling.
Devon Harris is likely to return to the lineup after missing 5 games in a row.
Head to Head
San Antonio will be looking for their 2nd season sweep in the last 3 seasons over Utah.
San Antonio won the last two games on the road already this season.
The favourite is 18-6 against the spread in their last 24 games.
San Antonio are 19-20-1 against the spread at home this season, Utah are 17-20-2 on the road.
San Antonio are 5-9 against the spread when having 2 days rest between games, Utah are 20-24-1 on the road.
Other Interesting Notes
San Antonio are 4-9 against the spread in their last 13 games as the home favourite.
They are 5-2-1 against the spread in their last 8 home games as the favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
The Spurs are 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 games against a team with a losing record.
Utah are 3-10-1 against the spread in their last 14 games against a team that has won more than 60% of their home games.
They are 4-16-1 against the spread in their last 21 games against a team winning more than 60% of their games overall.
They are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games as the road underdog of between 5 and 10.5 points.
Prediction
I am backing the San Antonio Spurs to cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, they have dominated the Jazz this season.
Second, they have more motivation as they look to secure the Number 1 seed for the whole NBA.
Third, Utah are already looking forward to their holidays.
The Pick :
San Antonio Spurs 104-86 Utah Jazz
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the San Antonio Spurs - 9.5 Points @ 1.91 (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter- the direct link is below
