Free Pick
(NBA) Miami vs. Utah, 12/12/2014 4:00 PM, Score: 100 - 95
Point Spread: -1.00 | -110.00 Utah (Home)
Result: Loss
This is a Free #NBA play on the Utah #Jazz.

Utah put an end to a nine game losing streak by upsetting the defending champion San Antonio Spurs at home on Tuesday, and I like their chances of riding that momentum and picking up another win at home Friday as they host Miami.

The Heat are at the end of a grueling road trip that has seen them drop five of their last six. They completely ran out of gas in the second half of their last game, losing to Denver by a score of 102-82. Dwyane Wade admitting after the game that his team found itself in a tough spot: "This is the worst back-to-back in the league," Wade said. "You come in to see what you can do. You try to come out and compete. We did that for a half and then it got away from us in the third quarter. It was one of those games."

Fatigue should continue to be an issue for Miami just 48 hours later, and this could be a throwaway game before returning home for a stretch that sees them play 8-of-9 in Miami.

Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Trey Burke and Alec Burks combined for 75 points in the win over the Spurs, and that kind of production from their starters should lead to more wins moving forward for this young team.

The Heat have covered the spread just once in their last five trips to Utah, and this doesn't look like a good spot for the visitors.

Take UTAH.

GL,

Jesse Schule