With the NBA’s top scorer James Harden, the Rockets are a natural NBA playoffs betting odds favorite. Harden is the rare talent that can dominate a game on his own. Few series in the NBA playoffs offer such a stark contrast as Houston vs. Utah. Defensively few teams are as tight as the Jazz. Offsetting that is an offense that lacks scoring depth. Everyone knows about the lethal Houston offense. What continues to surprise is their vastly improved defense. Head coach Mike D’Antoni has engineered a compete team. Offense should be the difference maker in this playoff matchup.
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Game 3
Date and Time: Friday, May 4, 2018, 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockets | -3½ (-110) | 207 (-110) |  |
| Jazz | +3½ (-110) | 207 (-110) | |
| |||
Rockets vs. Jazz TV Coverage: ESPN
Series so Far
Games three and four of this best of seven series are at Utah. If necessary game five is back at Houston. The Jazz would host game six. Home court goes to the Rockets for a game seven. Utah was touted as a team with a chance to frustrate Houston. Defense is the reason why. Plus, the Jazz have a strong home court advantage. However, Houston is probably too much for the Jazz in a seven-game series. Harden and offensive firepower is the reason why. Over a playoff series such an attack tends to wear down an opponent.
Mike D’Antoni
Mike D’Antoni has done a remarkable job as Rockets head coach. He arrived with a somewhat damaged reputation. He was considered one of the best coaches in the game during his time at Phoenix. But the Suns lacked the defense for success with the NBA playoffs betting odds. D’Antoni arrived at New York with much fanfare. But as is the case with everyone else at New York it bombed out. That is more a reflection of the Dolan ownership group than anyone else. Heck, Phil Jackson couldn’t succeed there as team boss. D’Antoni also failed with a declining Lakers team.
Quin Snyder
Quin Snyder has also had a career revival at Utah. He was the fresh young thing when he took over Missouri in the college ranks. While he had some early success he eventually flamed out. His teams were inconsistent and lacked discipline. He was fired and discredited. But Snyder showed character in the years that followed. He labored in the obscurity of the minor leagues. He coached in Europe. Next were NBA assistant gigs. Finally, he got the top job at Utah. Most remarkable is how well his team has become defensively.
Team vs Team
Houston has covered eight of their last 11 against the Jazz. Eight of those 11 games went over the sportsbook online total. Six of the last ten at Utah between these teams were covered by the Rockets. Five of the last eight games in this series at Utah went over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Game three figures to be the one game Utah might steal. Houston remains a big NBA playoffs betting odds chalk. But on Friday night with frenzied home fans the Jazz make for a live dog.
Rockets vs. Jazz NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Look for Utah to stay within the number and get the money.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Utah Jazz
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Jazz 106, Rockets 103