Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

May 12, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Western Conference NBA action will resume on Wednesday night with the Trail Blazers set to square off with the Jazz at 9:30 Eastern Time in Salt Lake City, Utah.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Vivint Smart Home Arena
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Trail Blazers vs. Jazz

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Jazz -3.5
Money-Line: Utah -150, Portland +130
Total: 235.5

Utah enters Wednesday’s contest as a 3.5-point favorite over the visiting Trail Blazers, which is the first time Portland has been listed as an underdog across the last five games.

The total for this event currently sits at OU 235.5 – marking the highest over-under set for a Jazz’ game since they matched up with Indiana back on April 16th (U 233.5).

Damian Lillard and the Blazers seek their first win against the Jazz in three tries this season as they meet on Wednesday. (AP)

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Current Form-Last Game

The Blazers head into Wednesday following wins in eight of their last nine games – with Portland’s only loss across that span coming in a matchup against the Hawks, which was a contest Atlanta shot 20-of-41 from downtown in (49%).

Portland’s most recent affair resulted in a double-digit victory over the Rockets on Monday night as four Blazers’ starters posted 20-point performances during the offensive clinic Damian Lillard and company put on that evening (140 points).

On the flip side, the Jazz had a five-game winning streak snapped by Golden State in their latest matchup as Jordan Clarkson (41 points) went toe-to-toe with Stephen Curry (36 points) for the length of this one, but Utah still ended up falling a possession short in NBA TV’s Monday nightcap.

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Head-to-Head

Apr. 8, 2021 - Jazz 122 vs. Trail Blazers 103, Utah -5.5, Under 233
Dec. 23, 2020 - Jazz 120 at Trail Blazers 100, Utah -2, Under 226

Utah has reigned victorious in both of its matchups against the Blazers this season – with both of those contests comfortably staying 'under' the total set for Wednesday’s affair by an average of 11 points.

The first meeting between these teams took place back on opening night of this season and resulted in an easy victory for Utah as the Jazz kicked off their magnificent campaign in blowout fashion behind 20-point performances from both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

The most recent matchup between these teams carried similar result but was achieved through different means though as Mitchell was forced to single-handedly lift his team to victory with a 37-point performance on 14-of-25 shooting the second time around.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 40-29 SU, 35-34 ATS, 37-32 OU
Road: 21-13 SU, 21-13 ATS, 21-13 OU

After getting bounced in a quick five games by Los Angeles in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Blazers are well on their way to getting some temporary revenge – considering Portland has now cruised past the Lakers in the Western Conference standings, and now sit just half-a-game behind the Mavericks for the fifth seed in this year’s postseason bracket.

Betting the ‘over’ in Blazers’ games has played at a relatively profitable rate so far this season – with the total cashing at a 37-32 clip in matchups containing Portland since its elimination from last year’s playoffs.

Make note though, that trend has fizzled out a little bit lately – considering the total has stayed 'under' in two of the last three Blazers’ games.

Utah Jazz Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 50-19 SU, 39-30 ATS, 33-35-1 OU
Home: 31-4 SU, 23-12 ATS, 16-19 OU

For the time-being, the Jazz sit atop the Western Conference standings with a record of 50-19. Utah’s crown that it has claimed for the majority of this season is currently in jeopardy though – considering Mitchell has now missed 13 straight games, which has allowed Phoenix to pull within two games of the Jazz with only a handful of contests left to play.

Betting the total in Jazz’ games has been a rollercoaster ride this season, with the total currently sitting at 33-35-1 in matchups containing Utah – which is drastically different compared to last year’s fast-paced squad that finished at a 43-36 over-under clip.

Make note though, there has been some newfound consistency in scoring-volume during Utah’s most recent stretch of contests – considering the total has gone 'over' in six of the last eight Suns’ games.

Key Injuries

Portland Trail Blazers

SF Carmelo Anthony: Ankle - Probable
SF Nassir Little: Back - Questionable

Utah Jazz

SG Donovan Mitchell: Ankle - Out
PG Mike Conley: Hamstring - Out

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Player Prop Best Bet

Damian Lillard – To Score 30+ Points (+108)

With the Blazers being forced to put in a little extra effort to avoid a first round play-in series due to the league’s new seeding format, Lillard appears to have kicked it into postseason-gear a little early this season.

Dame heads into Wednesday’s event following 30-point performances in six of his last seven outings – with his lowest scoring output during that timeframe coming in a double-digit victory over the Celtics, which was a contest he still put up 26 points in.

I’ll back Lillard to have another big night on the scoreboard here, in what should be a tough, back-and-forth battle against Utah.