Golden State Warriors (8-7, 3-3 Away) @ Utah Jazz (11-4, 4-2 Home)
Game Information: Saturday, January 23 at 9:00 pm (ET) inside Vivint Smart Home Arena
Betting Odds: Utah -7.5 – Over/Under 228
Utah has been rolling ever since the New Year started. The Jazz have covered their last seven games and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.6 points per game over that 10 game stretch. And on Thursday, Shaq added some fuel to Mitchell’s fire by saying he doesn’t have what it takes to be that top tier player. I think Mitchell is going to come out against Steph Curry and the Warriors and blow them out of the water and show the world why he can be that top tier type of player.
The Shaq-Donovan Mitchell exchange was awkward. lol pic.twitter.com/JxnxSIKl9F
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 22, 2021
Mitchell is having one of his better seasons through the first 15 games of the 2020-21 season so far and I believe he’s out to prove that he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s certainly played like it so far this season.
Donovan Mitchell is having one of his best seasons through the first 15 games:
🕷 24.3 PPG (career high)
🕷 4.9 APG (career high)
🕷 40.8 3PT% (career high)
The Jazz are 11-4 and are second in the West behind the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/NzuGkT2hnf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 22, 2021
Golden State is coming off back-to-back contests against San Antonio and New York but they did get a day of rest on Friday. However, I still think this could be a let down spot for the Warriors considering they just got dominated by New York 119-104 on Thursday night.
I don’t have a pick for the spread or total in this game, however, I really like Utah -2.5 for the first quarter. Golden State has been awful on the road right out of the gate and are 0-6 against the spread in the first quarter of games. The Warriors have been outscored 447-401 in first quarters this season and have a -9.33 opening quarter differential. I just don’t see any reason to back them in the first quarter of games especially in this spot against the Jazz. So, when this Jazz bet cashes, don’t thank me, thank Shaq.
Free Pick: Utah -2.5 1Q
