Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets Odds & Predictions 1/5/22

When: Wednesday, Jan. 5th, 2022, 10:00 pm (ET)

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: UTA -5/DEN +5 (Opened at 4.5 at Bovada – They offer a 50% bonus, rebates on ALL your bets, FAST bitcoin payouts and they’re one of the oldest bookies on the web! What more could you possibly ask for!)

Total: 222 (Opened at 221.5)

Money Line: UTA -215/DEN +180

Power Rating: UTA -8

Probable Starting Lineups

Utah Jazz: PG Mike Conley, SG Donovan Mitchell, SF Bojan Bogdanovic, PF Royce O’Neale, C Rudy Gobert

Denver Nuggets: PG Facundo Campazzo, SG Austin Rivers, SF Aaron Gordon, PF Will Barton, C Nikola Jokic

Key Injuries

Utah Jazz: G Jordan Clarkson *Probable* (Back), F Joe Ingles *Out* (Covid), F Bojan Bogdanovic *Questionable* (Finger), C Rudy Gobert *Questionable* (Shoulder), G Donovan Mitchell *Probable* (Back), F Royce O’Neale *Questionable* (Knee), C Hassan Whiteside *Questionable* (Concussion), C Udoka Azubuike *Questionable* (Ankle)

Denver Nuggets: F Vlatko Cancar *Out* (Foot), G Markus Howard *Out* (Knee), F Jeff Green *Out* (Covid), C Zeke Nnaji *Questionable* (Covid), G Austin Rivers *Questionable* (Thumb), G Monte Morris *Out* (Covid), G PJ Dozier *Out* (Knee), G Michael Porter Jr. *Out* (Back), G Jamal Murray *Out* (Knee)

Recent Form

The Utah Jazz come into this game as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. As winners of seven of their last eight games, the Jazz hold a 27-10 record and sit 3rd in the Western Conference. The Jazz had their six-game win streak ended by the Warriors on New Year’s Day but quickly bounced back last time out with a 115-104 win over the Pelicans. Part of Utah’s success this season has been avoiding Covid protocols. In fact, Joe Ingles being added to the Covid list yesterday is the team’s first player in protocols this season. The Jazz offense is led in scoring by Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 25.7 PPG this season. Offensively, the Jazz is averaging a league-best 116.0 PPG. On defense, the Jazz is also in the Top 10, allowing 106.1 PPG, which is 9th best in the NBA. Utah’s 9.9-point differential is also 1st in the league.

The Denver Nuggets enter this game with an 18-17 record and sit 5th in the Western Conference. After an average month of December going 7-6, the Nuggets are 1-1 in the month of January after Monday’s 103-89 loss to Dallas. The team has managed to stay afloat as they’ve dealt with injuries and Covid absences but will be without Michael Porter Jr. for the rest of the season and still await the return of a healthy Jamal Murray. Adding to that list, the team announced that Forward Vlatko Cancar will be out indefinitely after fracturing his foot in Monday’s game. Nikola Jokic is having himself another MVP-caliber season, averaging a stat line of 26-14-7. Denver sits 23rd offensively as they average 105.8 PPG. Defensively they’ve fared better, with the 8th best scoring defense as they allow 106.1 PPG.

Denver’s Injury Bug

Typically, as teams approach the halfway point of the season, they are hoping to be close to full strength as they smooth out any early-season injuries and players coming off a previous season injury. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the Denver Nuggets. Coming into the season, the team knew they would be without star guard Jamal Murray, who is still rehabbing an ACL injury from last season. After losing Michael Porter Jr. to a back injury for the season, it’s safe to say the floodgates were opened to the injury bug for this team. With now nine players either in Covid protocols, out with an injury, or playing through an injury, Denver has relied heavily on former MVP Nikola Jokic. Though Jokic is putting up his typical numbers, the team is barely staying above .500 this season. Still, at 5th in the Western Conference, the Nuggets are in a comfortable position, but a few more injuries to key players could run their season into the ground in a hurry. Going into their game against the Jazz, the Nuggets would be arguably close to their skill level if full strength. Since that isn’t the case, the Jazz is a way healthier team and should be able to maximize mismatches against the lesser talented team in this game.

Utah on the Road

The Jazz is one of the best road teams this season and are tied with the Nets with the best road record at 13-3. The Jazz not only get wins on the road but have given bettors a reason to stand in their corner. In recent weeks, Utah is 5-1 ATS in their last six road games and 5-1 ATS as a road favorite. The biggest part of their road success is their league-best, 114.6 PPG on the road, which is only 2.5 points less than their home average. Given their consistency no matter where they play, the Jazz offense is going to give them a chance to win any game. Also adding into the equation for this game, the Jazz head to Ball Arena in Denver, which is notoriously known for being shooter friendly with the high elevation.

Nuggets at Home

Despite having one of the better shooter-friendly arenas, the Nuggets haven’t seen the same luck as visiting teams. With an 8-6 home record, the Nuggets have seen more wins on the road so far this season. Although a winning home record isn’t bad, what is bad is their ability to cover at home. Denver has a 6-8 record ATS at home this season and have struggled as of late, as they are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games. This slump has come from their inability to slow down the scoring of visiting teams, as they allow 45.5% from the floor at home, which is in the bottom half of the league. While the Nuggets have a Top 10 scoring defense overall this season, stopping a hot Jazz team while shorthanded with injuries could make for a long night.

The Historicals

Wednesday’s contest will be the second time these teams meet this season. In their first game back in October, the Jazz won in a 122-110 final. Dating back to last season, Utah has had control of the series, winning three of their last four games against Denver.

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How the Public is Betting the Jazz vs. Nuggets

73% are betting the Jazz against the spread.

53% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 222.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Utah Jazz is 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
• The Utah Jazz is 5-1 ATS in their last six games as road favorites.
• The Denver Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
• The Under is 4-0-1 in Utah’s last five road games.
• The Under is 5-1 in Denver’s last six games.
• The Utah Jazz is 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games vs. Denver.
• Over is 9-3 in the last 12 games between these teams.

Collin’s Pick for Jazz/Nuggets

This Western Conference features two teams in the Top 5 of the conference, though an eight-game difference in their records. The Jazz comes into this match as one of the best road teams this season and remains the best scoring offense in the league. The Nuggets are dealt blow after blow to their team with injuries and covid absences and will be shorthanded once again in this one. While the Nuggets defense has done enough to get wins at home, the Jazz is the healthier and far better scoring team. Take the Utah Jazz to cover the 5-point spread. Bet your Jazz vs. Nuggets prediction and ALL your NBA bets for FREE this week by taking advantage of a 100% REAL CASH bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $300 at MyBookie Sportsbook! (Must use bonus code PREDICT100).