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The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to stay alive in they playoffs, as they host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night after falling down 1-3 in the series.
The Thunder (48-34, 24-17 home in the regular season) have been completely outplayed by the Jazz in the last three games, after initially winning Game 1. The Thunder have played very poorly overall, and their big three of Westbrook, George and Anthony didn`t work well either. The Thunder had no chance in the previous two games in Utah, but will hope home court advantage will help them improve and push this series to a Game 6.
The Jazz (48-34, 20-21 away in the regular season) are clicking on all cylinders right now, as they have been playing some really good team basketball in this series. That isn`t really a surprising, considering the fact that the Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA in the second part of the season, winning 29 of their last 35 games (!!) before the playoffs.
Bet on Thunder vs. Jazz and claim a 100% (100 €) welcome bonus at Ohmbet now!Team news: Roberson (Thunder) and Sefolosha (Jazz) are both out for the season, and are the only injuries ahead of this Game 5.
While the OKC is the more talented team with the likes of Wesbtrook, PG13 and Carmelo, the Jazz is the better team overall here. They proved it not only in this series, but also in the way they ended the regular season with that exceptional winning streak. They are on a high both long term and short term, and they have definitely managed to get into OKC’s head in this series as well.
While the Jazz play top defense, move the ball and play team basketball, the Thunder are relying on individuals to get them over the line. They do not share the ball, they take ill advised shots and have been unable to break down Utah’s defense so far. It also has to be said that Billy Donovan is being completely outcoached by Utah`s Quinn Snyder, but that was to be expected.
The Thunder simply looked impotent and out of sorts in the last few games, and it looks like they have no answers whatsoever for the brand of defense and team basketball the Jazz play.
Expect OKC to rely again on inefficient ISO offense and unless they get a big night from Westbrook and PG13 / Carmelo, chances are they will lose this in 5. And there`s not much to suggest they will get that big night given how all three struggled against Utah`s defense so far.
It won`t be easy for the Jazz since the game is played in Oklahoma City, but they just seem to have OKC’s number. My tip is the Jazz to cover the +4 point (asian) handicap. My recent form on the NBA playoffs has been dreadful so you decide how much you trust my insight on this one, but I am happy enough with my analysis to stake a solid 8 units here. Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder – Utah Jazz 95 – 100.
Pick: Jazz +4
Odds: 1.93 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.44
Event date: 26 April
