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(NBA) Utah vs. Indiana,
Point Spread: -2.50 | -103.00 Utah (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -2.50 | -103.00 Utah (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 43-27 Utah Jazz are hoping to hold off the LA Clippers and secure the No. 4 seed in the West (Jazz currently lead the Clippers by two games). The 35-34 Indiana Pacers are currently sixth in the East but teams are bunched at the bottom of the East's standings, as the Pacers lead the ninth-place Pistons by only 1 1/2 games. Indiana has 13 games remaining (seven at home) and gets set to host Utah having alternated wins and losses over its last 13 contests
Utah: The Jazz lead the league in scoring defense (96.3 points) but one couldn't tell it this past Saturday, when Utah allowed 34 points in the fourth quarter of 95-86 loss to the Bulls. In fact,the jazz have been outscored 58-38 in the final 12 minutes of their last two games (both losses). Utah is having a fine season but injuries continue to plague this team. Currently, the Jazz are missing SG Hood (13.1 points) and PF Favors (9.6 & 6.2) plus backup PG Mack (7.3) also is listed as questionable with an ankle problem.
Indiana: Pacers' standout Paul George (22.4-6.4-3.3) returned from the break in a shooting slump but that's all in the past now, as he's averaging 26.4 PPG in March. However, PG Jeff Teague (15.0 & 7.9 APG) is just 15 of 45 shooting over his last four games while center Myles Turne (14.6 & 7.1) has scored a total of nine points over his last two. Then there is small forward C.J. Miles (10.8), who is also struggling of late, averaging 7.6 points on 14 of 39 shooting over his last five games.
The pick: Yes, Indiana is 24-10 at home but the Pacers are playing the second game of a back-to-back (got creamed 116-91 Sunday in Toronto) and are just 4-11 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. The Jazz have won three straight meetings with the Pacers and will try to sweep the season series with Indiana for the second straight year.That's the bet. Make Utah an 8* play.
Utah: The Jazz lead the league in scoring defense (96.3 points) but one couldn't tell it this past Saturday, when Utah allowed 34 points in the fourth quarter of 95-86 loss to the Bulls. In fact,the jazz have been outscored 58-38 in the final 12 minutes of their last two games (both losses). Utah is having a fine season but injuries continue to plague this team. Currently, the Jazz are missing SG Hood (13.1 points) and PF Favors (9.6 & 6.2) plus backup PG Mack (7.3) also is listed as questionable with an ankle problem.
Indiana: Pacers' standout Paul George (22.4-6.4-3.3) returned from the break in a shooting slump but that's all in the past now, as he's averaging 26.4 PPG in March. However, PG Jeff Teague (15.0 & 7.9 APG) is just 15 of 45 shooting over his last four games while center Myles Turne (14.6 & 7.1) has scored a total of nine points over his last two. Then there is small forward C.J. Miles (10.8), who is also struggling of late, averaging 7.6 points on 14 of 39 shooting over his last five games.
The pick: Yes, Indiana is 24-10 at home but the Pacers are playing the second game of a back-to-back (got creamed 116-91 Sunday in Toronto) and are just 4-11 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. The Jazz have won three straight meetings with the Pacers and will try to sweep the season series with Indiana for the second straight year.That's the bet. Make Utah an 8* play.
