NBA Betting Odds & Preview for Wednesday – Celtics at Jazz

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Celtics and Jazz Meet in Utah for ESPN Wednesday Action

Just one month ago the Utah Jazz were riding high while fighting in a neck-and-neck race for first place in the Northwest Division with the Denver Nuggets. Utah was showing strong offensive improvement while not forsaking the defense that had propelled it to back-to-back playoff seasons and first round wins.

However, since January 27, the Jazz have been in free fall with eight straight up losses in their last 12 games. Utah is now fifth in the Western Conference which means they would not have home court advantage for the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs and Monday’s 131-111 home loss to the Phoenix Suns has set off alarms.

In last year’s playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics saw their marquee man Kyrie Irving quit on the team during its elimination game and take a seat on the bench. It was Irving’s last game for Boston. And since his departure head coach Brad Stevens has again found his comfort zone of team basketball and strong defense.

Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 10 p.m. ET
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NBA Betting Online Odds at FanDuel: Jazz -5, Total 218.5
Celtics vs. Jazz TV Coverage: ESPN

Odds provided by FanDuel (IN, NJ, & PA only)
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+)

Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz Betting Odds Overview

Sharps recognize the Celtics as a fundamentally sound team that brings reliable wagering value on the road and Utah’s problems are no longer a secret. As a result, the Jazz won’t garner as much wagering action as they otherwise would have before their slump.

Boston Celtics Current Form

The Celtics are in good form with seven payouts in their last 10 games. Seven of their last nine outings have gone over the total. Boston is 40-17 straight up, 35-20-2 vs. the odds, and 27-30 under the total. The green and white rank eighth in the NBA for scoring offense and fourth for points allowed. Boston is coming off a 118-106 win and cover at Portland last night as 7.5-point favorites. PF Jayson Tatum had the hot hand with 36 points in the win. The Celtics are 12-2 straight up in their last 14 games. They have closed to within a game and a half of Toronto for second in the Eastern Conference.

Utah Jazz Current Form

The Jazz are 36-21 straight up, 28-28-1 against the spread and 30-27 over the total. Utah has failed to get the cash in seven of their last 10 games. Overall the Jazz rank 16th in the NBA for scoring offense and 10th for points allowed.

Jayson Tatum

Tatum’s strong performance at Portland is nothing new as he leads Boston with 23.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. The first-round draft pick out of Duke is in his third NBA season and enjoying a breakout year.

Key Injury

Boston PG Kemba Walker is likely out with a knee issue. He is averaging 21.8 points per game and did not play against Portland.

Donovan Mitchell

Utah’s third year SG Donovan Mitchell is having his best season as a pro with 24.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. The first-round draft pick out of Louisville lit up the Suns form 38 points on Monday night. He scored 31 in the game before that, which was a 120-111 home loss to the Houston Rockets

Against the Pointspread

Boston has visited the payout window in seven of their last 10 road games. Five of their last six away matchups cleared the total. By contrast the Jazz have come away with the cash in only one of their last eight home games. Utah has dropped five of their last eight home games vs. the odds to Boston with seven of the last nine between these teams at Utah going over the total.

Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz Selection Summary

This is the second of back to back road games for the Celtics and the usually dreaded third game in four nights for Boston. But the oddsmakers know that and have it baked into the price. The Utah Jazz are reeling and what’s most disturbing is that they are often blowing home games to lesser teams, with a four-game road trip that beckons next week. For Boston their team culture has been restored by Stevens and the departure of Kyrie Irving. As the saying goes “defense travels” and the Celtics will be bringing a packed suitcase full of it for this one!