Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 01/03/2024, 13:42  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 02/03/2024 at 09:00 in NBA Prediction

The Miami Heat will seek to get back to winning ways when they host the Utah Jazz next in the NBA. They come to this match sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference while the Jazz are 11th in the West. The Heat are coming off a 103-97 defeat to the Nuggets in Denver. Their 26th loss of the season ended a five-match winning streak and led to them tumbling down the standings. Before the match, Erik Spoelstra’s men had moved up to fifth. One and a half games separate them however from fourth spot and they will seek to close this gap here. Miami have won five of the last six meetings with Utah. Kevin Love, Dru Smith, Josh Richardson, and Tyler Hero missed the trip to Denver due to injuries and could all be absent again. Miami aren’t the most dominant offensive team and are ranked 27th on offence. Defensively however they rank amongst the very best and are holding teams to 109.7 points a game on average.

The Utah Jazz won the reverse match 117-109 on New Year’s Eve to end a five-game losing run in this fixture. Will Hardy’s men will seek a similar outcome to put an end to their current losing run. The Jazz struggled all through February and won just three of 11 matches. Currently on a three-match road trip to the East, the West visitors have lost their first two games. After losing 124-97 in Atlanta, Utah were outclassed 115-107 in Orlando by the Magic. Their 33rd loss of the season saw them fall to six games below .500. Walker Kessler did not suit up in Orlando due to a foot problem and is expected to be evaluated for this match. He is the major doubt for this game for the Jazz who are averaging 117.5 points which is the ninth best tally.