Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Prediction, Pick and Preview, February 23rd, 2023

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder hit the road and will visit the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Arena on Thursday night to play their first game after the All-Star break. These teams faced each other 4 times last season and the Jazz absolutely dominated the Thunder beating them the 4 times.  

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an up-and-down season, but they have been in good form of late. They have won five of their last ten games, including a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, who are currently fourth in the Western Conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the standout player for the Thunder this season. He is averaging an impressive 30.8 points per game, along with 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court, and he will be a major threat to the Jazz defense.

Josh Giddey is another player to watch for the Thunder. The rookie has been impressive in his debut season, averaging 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. He has shown excellent court vision and is a gifted playmaker, and his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates could be the key to the Thunder's success in this matchup.

In their last ten games, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the court. Led by the dynamic backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, the Thunder have been putting up impressive numbers on a nightly basis. The Thunder's impressive offensive output has not come at the expense of their defense, however. Despite allowing their opponents to score an average of 119.7 points per game over the last ten games, the Thunder have still managed to come out on top in five of those games. This is in large part due to their ability to create turnovers, with the Thunder averaging 9.4 steals per game over the last ten games.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have been an inconsistent team this season, and their recent form reflects that. They have lost three straight games at home, including a defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers, who were without their star players Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.

Despite their struggles, the Jazz still have plenty of quality in their lineup. Lauri Markkanen has been a revelation since arriving in Utah, averaging 24.9 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. He has quickly established himself as one of the team's go-to players, and the Jazz will be looking to him to lead the charge against the Thunder.

Jordan Clarkson is another key player for the Jazz. He leads the team in assists with 4.2 per game and has been a consistent scorer, averaging 20.9 points per game over the last ten games. Clarkson is an explosive player who can create shots for himself and his teammates, and his playmaking ability will be vital if the Jazz are to get the win.

Despite their recent struggles, the Jazz have still managed to put up solid offensive numbers in their last ten games. They are averaging 117.6 points per game, with their impressive rebounding and shot-blocking abilities making them a force to be reckoned with in the paint. Despite their solid offensive numbers, the Jazz have been struggling defensively in recent games. They have allowed their opponents to score an average of 122.0 points per game over the last ten games, which is a cause for concern. They will need to tighten up their defense if they are to have any chance of containing the Thunder's explosive offense.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games.

Oklahoma City are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games.

Oklahoma City are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games against Utah.

Oklahoma City are 0-7 SU in their last 7 games against Utah.

Oklahoma City are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games on the road.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games.

Utah are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Utah's last 11 games against Oklahoma City.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Utah's last 8 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City.

Prediction

Both teams have shown a tendency to put up big numbers on the scoreboard. In their last ten games, the Jazz have averaged 117.6 points per game, while the Thunder have averaged 124.1 points per game. With a high over/under of 239.5, the stage is set for a high-scoring affair.

It is likely that this game will be a fast-paced, high-scoring game with both teams' star players expected to shine. The Thunder's recent scoring form coupled with the Jazz's inability to defend against their opponents suggests that Oklahoma City will have the edge in this matchup. Hence, my final prediction is that the Oklahoma City Thunder will win a close, high-scoring game, and the over will cash.

PICK: Thunder -7 (-110)

Find more sports picks from the top sports bettors and NBA experts all in one place using our iOS and Google Play apps, as well as our other articles at Kingpin.pro.  We are the home for NBA picks, sports picks and sports betting.

NBA expert picks, Expert NBA picks, NBA expert picks today, Expert NBA picks today, Top NBA picks for today, Expert NBA picks free, NBA expert picks against the spread.