Opposite Conference Play-in Teams Meet
The Utah Jazz and Miami Heat are two teams seemingly slated for the play-in. While they are in different conferences, Monday’s game will still have significant value toward their NBA odds.
Both teams were favorites on the NBA lines in their last games— with only the Jazz covering. Utah won 119-111 over the Charlotte Hornets, having a lead for over 47 minutes. The Heat lost to the Orlando Magic 126-114 in overtime on Saturday. Miami needed a late comeback to even force the game into overtime.
Jazz Getting Unsuspected Help
This season for the Jazz has been filled with twists and turns. It was set up to be a rebuilding period, but a hot start has kept the team alive for a possible play-in push. In addition to trading away crucial players at the deadline, Utah has been dealing with injuries.
Injuries to starting guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton recently put the team in a challenging position. The Jazz quickly went on a four-game losing streak after the guards got hurt. However, their injuries have opened minutes up for Talen Horton-Tucker, who has taken advantage of the added playing time.
TALEN HORTON-TUCKER
37 Points (Season High)
14/24 Shooting
10 Assists (T-Season High)
8 Rebounds (Season High)THT: “I’m not trying to be cocky, but I just felt like I could do it. It’s not the only time.”pic.twitter.com/poat2WwQY8
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 12, 2023
Horton-Tucker is averaging 18.4 minutes and nine points this season, but that has changed over the last three games. He is averaging 27 points, 7.3 assists, and five rebounds. In the win over the Hornets, Horton-Tucker had a great game with 37 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
The biggest thing for the Jazz is they were able to get a win without All-Star Lauri Markkanen not playing well, shooting 3-22.
Heat Struggles Continue
The Heat’s problems this season are not being talked around the NBA news nearly enough. They are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, the top play-in spot, and 3½ games back of sixth and automotive playoff position. On the other end, they are a game and a half from dropping to eight, then 3½ from being ninth.
What makes everything so concerning for the Heat is that they have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games, each being close and gritty. This previous loss to the Magic kind of summarizes Miami’s season.
JIMMY FREAKING BUTLER 🤯@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/zCJoh0WYJP
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) March 12, 2023
Offensively, Jimmy Butler had to be spectacular, scoring 38 points, 15 of which came in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback. He even hit a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. However, the Heat could not escape their poor outside shooting, going 11-37 (29.7%) from three.
Kyle Lowry even returned to the court after missing the last 15 games. He played 36 minutes off the bench with 12 points and four assists. Sure, we could blame his struggles on being rusty, but Lowry was brought in as a high-level player and has yet to prove he is.
Jazz vs Heat Game Injuries
Jazz vs Heat Head-to-Head
The Heat have a four-game win streak against the Jazz. In their one matchup this season, the Heat won on the road with Tyler Herro scoring 29 points, plus hitting a game-winning three.
Jazz vs Heat Game Information
- Game: Jazz (33-35) vs Heat (36-33)
- Location: Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, FL
- Day/Time: Monday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. EST
- Jazz vs Heat Live stream: NBA Game Pass
Jazz vs Heat Betting Lines
Jazz vs Heat Picks and Prediction
While the Heat has not been a great team for NBA picks, this might be a game that goes their way. After the loss to the Magic, there was clear frustration with how the team was playing, which could motivate them to turn it around. The game will also be played in Miami, with the Heat going 22-13 at home.
The Jazz has covered in their last three games, but against easier opponents or by being massive underdogs. That could be the case in this game, with the spread favoring the Heat by 7½, giving the Jazz room to cover.
The Miami Heat are listed at -290 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Heat, you have a chance to win $34. The Utah Jazz is +240, offering a chance to win $240 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Miami Heat a 74.36% chance to win, with the Utah Jazz at 29.41%.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
