PREMIUM
Rogers Thursday Night THROWDOWN >> 30-15 (67%) NBA Run!
(NBA) Golden State vs. Utah,
Point Spread: -7.00 | -115.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Push
Point Spread: -7.00 | -115.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Push
The set-up: The 19-3 Golden State Warriors have won 15 of their last 16 games after wiping the Staple Center floor in a 115-98 win last night over the Clippers, in what was supposed to be a showdown between two championship-caliber teams. The Warriors are averaging a whopping 130.5 PPG in December, as they visit Salt Lake City tonight to take on the 14-9 Utah Jazz. This will be a game between the NBA's highest scoring team (Golden State averages 120.0 PPG) and its stingiest team, Utah allows 95.5 PPG.
Golden State: The Warriors made short work of the Clippers and the team's "Big 3" has been virtually unstoppable the last four games. Thompson is averaging 31.3 points on 48.9 percent shooting, Curry is scoring 22.8 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting and dishing out 6.0 assists plus Durant is chipping in 23.8 points on 47.0 percent shooting and collecting 8.3 rebounds. Durant (26.5-8.4-4.8) and Curry (25.9-4.0-6.0) are the league's highest scoring duo, Thompson (22.6) is well, Thompson (he gives the Warriors the league's highest scoring trio, as well), plus which NBA team wouldn't drool over the possibility of adding Draymond Green (10.7-8.4-7.3) to its roster? Golden State leads the NBA in FG percentage (50.2) and is the only team in the league shooting above 50 percent. The Warriors are also leading the NBA in assists (32.0 per game), proving superstars can play together.
Utah: The vastly improved Utah Jazz are seeking a signature victory but will be missing their starting backcourt on Thursday. Point guard George Hill (20.0 & 4.2 APG) will sit out for the fourth straight game (toe) and SG Rodney Hood (15.7) will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. PF Derrick Favors (knee contusion) and SG Alec Burks (ankle rehabilitation) will also not play against the Warriors. However, Utah has won three straight and seven of its last eight. SF Gordon Hayward (23.1-6.4-3.9) is carrying the squad and his 28-point effort against Phoenix represented his ninth straight 20-point outing. Center Rudy Gobert (11.3 & 11.3) scored a career-best 22 points against the Suns for his third 20-point outing of the campaign and the big man has been in double digits on the boards in eight consecutive games.
The pick: Staying with the Warriors is difficult enough, even when healthy. It's hard to see how, even at home, the Jazz can trade scores with Golden State or be able to slow this team down. Golden State is 10-1 on the road with seven straight victories plus has dominated the series with Utah in recent seasons. The Warriors enter this game having win five straight and 11 of the last 12 against the Jazz. What's even more scary is, this is the best Golden State team the Jazz will have faced. The Warriors are an 8* play.
Golden State: The Warriors made short work of the Clippers and the team's "Big 3" has been virtually unstoppable the last four games. Thompson is averaging 31.3 points on 48.9 percent shooting, Curry is scoring 22.8 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting and dishing out 6.0 assists plus Durant is chipping in 23.8 points on 47.0 percent shooting and collecting 8.3 rebounds. Durant (26.5-8.4-4.8) and Curry (25.9-4.0-6.0) are the league's highest scoring duo, Thompson (22.6) is well, Thompson (he gives the Warriors the league's highest scoring trio, as well), plus which NBA team wouldn't drool over the possibility of adding Draymond Green (10.7-8.4-7.3) to its roster? Golden State leads the NBA in FG percentage (50.2) and is the only team in the league shooting above 50 percent. The Warriors are also leading the NBA in assists (32.0 per game), proving superstars can play together.
Utah: The vastly improved Utah Jazz are seeking a signature victory but will be missing their starting backcourt on Thursday. Point guard George Hill (20.0 & 4.2 APG) will sit out for the fourth straight game (toe) and SG Rodney Hood (15.7) will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. PF Derrick Favors (knee contusion) and SG Alec Burks (ankle rehabilitation) will also not play against the Warriors. However, Utah has won three straight and seven of its last eight. SF Gordon Hayward (23.1-6.4-3.9) is carrying the squad and his 28-point effort against Phoenix represented his ninth straight 20-point outing. Center Rudy Gobert (11.3 & 11.3) scored a career-best 22 points against the Suns for his third 20-point outing of the campaign and the big man has been in double digits on the boards in eight consecutive games.
The pick: Staying with the Warriors is difficult enough, even when healthy. It's hard to see how, even at home, the Jazz can trade scores with Golden State or be able to slow this team down. Golden State is 10-1 on the road with seven straight victories plus has dominated the series with Utah in recent seasons. The Warriors enter this game having win five straight and 11 of the last 12 against the Jazz. What's even more scary is, this is the best Golden State team the Jazz will have faced. The Warriors are an 8* play.
