It’s trade deadline day and after a week off due to the All-Star break, The Big Dog is back, refreshed and ready to make a big run at the second half of the NBA season. The action is limited today, with a blockbuster card in store fortomorrow but from the three games on offer for Friday, The Big Dog has picked out a “Play of the Day” to wet the appetite.
Utah Jazz @ Washington Wizards
The Jazz were originally scheduled to travel to DC for a game against the Wizards on January 23rd but extreme weather in the form of a blizzard meant that this fixture was literally put on ice. Four weeks later and it’s fair to say that this contest has taken on a very different look to what it would have originally had. Since the intended date for this game, the Wizards have struggled to add just three wins from ten games, while the Jazz have gone 7-2, which included a season-high seven game winning streak. That run for Utah, which had them above .500 before a last-start loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, was the first time this season the team had won more than two consecutive games. Although the Jazz have been better than average at home (17-10), they’ve struggled as a road team (9-16) so far, despite winning three of their last four away from Salt Lake City. The trip to Washington might be just what they need, as the Wizards have actually performed better on the road this season (12-12) than at home. Defence appears to be a major concern, as they have given up an average of 111.8 points per game over their last ten, with eight of those being nights where they have allowed 106 or more. By contrast, Utah have allowed an impressive 91.6 points per game over their last nine, including two overtime games. The clinching factor for The Big Dog in this game is that Washington have been poor against Western Conference teams (6-12), while the Jazz have performed well against the Eastern Conference (12-8). Bookies originally had this line reversed, with the Jazz getting a one-point start and Luxbet were still offering that line at $1.89, up until a few minutes ago. The 2.5-point late swing only confirms that Utah are the team to be on, in this game and the even-money offering is good enough to make this the “Play of the Day”.
Selection
Utah Jazz -1.5 @ $2.00 (Luxbet)
