Media by Associated Press – Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
The NBA has started hurtling toward the All-Star break, and all teams are starting to position themselves in the chase for the playoffs. Being able to continue stacking up victories during the regular season is important to every team. Here’s a look at which teams are in a good spot to grab wins Wednesday night.
Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz (+3)
The Jazz has faded since their hot start saw them in the top six of the Western Conference. Utah, despite trading two stars in the offseason, still is in a position to pull off one of the most surprising playoff runs in recent memory. The Jaz is 26-26 and in ninth place in the standings.
One thing that has been keeping the Jazz afloat is that Utah is hard to beat at home. The Jazz is 17-9 straight up in Salt Lake City. Utah is fourth in the league in scoring, putting up 117.5 points per game. The Jazz’s struggles have mostly been on defense. Utah allows opponents to shoot 48.1 percent from the field against them, which ranks 26th in the league. The Jazz are 7-3 against the spread over their past ten games.
Toronto is outside the top 10 in the Eastern Conference and has been bad away from home. The Raptors are 23-29 this season, including 8-17 on the road. Toronto is 26-26 against the spread this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder (-5.5) at Houston Rockets
The Thunder have been playing good basketball recently and will be taking on a Houston team that doesn’t pack a lot of punch. The Rockets are 12-38 this season and only 2-8 over their past ten games. The Thunder have won six of their past ten and are a good offensive team.
Oklahoma City averages 116.9 points per game, which is sixth in the league. The Thunder shot 36.3 percent from the 3-point line. Defensively, the Thunder only allow their opponents to shoot 46.6 percent from the field, which ranks sixth in the league.
Houston’s offense has struggled mightily this season. The Rockets are last in the league or close to the bottom in many categories. The Thunder will take advantage and hand Houston another loss. Oklahoma City is 31-18-1 against the spread this season.
Golden State Warriors (-3) at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Warriors have started to build some momentum as they have consistency in the lineup after being limited early in the season by injuries. Golden State hasn’t been good against the spread this season, going 24-25-1.
Lately, the Warriors have gone 6-4 against the spread over their past ten games. The Warriors are the second-highest-scoring team in the league, putting up 118.1 points per game. Minnesota has started creeping up the standings and is back in the running to crack into the top six in the Western Conference.
Minnesota’s perimeter defense has held the Timberwolves back this season. Minnesota allows opponents to shoot nearly 37 percent from the 3-point line. The Timberwolves are 25-28 against the spread. Minnesota will struggle to stop Golden State from the perimeter and will fall at home.
See more NBA picks >>