There's too much of a class difference here. Utah is a top-five Western Conference club. The Hornets are a mediocre .500 type Eastern Conference team. I don't see the Hornets staying close in this matchup.

Utah should be fired-up after an embarrassing, 125-97, setback to the Celtics in Boston two days ago. The Celtics have been sizzling. The Hornets are not in that class and usually acquit themselves poorly at home where they are 4-13-1 ATS in their last 18 games.

The Jazz took care of the Hornets, 112-02, at home on Dec. 20 in the first meeting this season. The Hornets have a poor history when stepping up against steep competition going 7-18-2 ATS versus opponents with a winning percentage above .600.