After ten straight losses, the Washington Wizards finally got another victory after stunning the Phoenix Suns, 113-110. However, it is still a long season for the Wizards, as they try to catch up with other Eastern conference teams. Breaking the 10-game skid is just the start of improving their 12-20 record and climbing up from their current spot in the East (12th).
They will face the Utah Jazz (18-16) tomorrow at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz has an impressive 12-6 start of the season, surprising everyone with their chemistry that leads to diverse contributions. They are expected to be one of the teams at the bottom of the conference but they managed to get up to the top of the West until injury struck and teams started to figure them out.
They still have a decent record for the 8th spot in the West and are not far among the top contenders. They even sweep the Pelicans for their regular season match-up, including back-to-back wins.
Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz
| DraftKings Maryland Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| WAS Wizards | +6.5 (-110) | Over 229 (-110) | +220 |
| UTA Jazz | -6.5 (-110) | Under 229 (-110) | -260 |
| Points of Jordan Clarkson | Points of Lauri Markkanen | ||
| O 20.5 (+-120) | U 20.5 (-110) | O 22.5 (-120) | U 22.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel Maryland Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| WAS Wizards | +7 (-112) | Over 229 (-110) | +220 |
| UTA Jazz | -7 (-108) | Under 229 (-110) | -270 |
| Win Margin | |||
| Wizards | Jazz | ||
| By 1-10pts (+330) | 11+ points (+1100) | By 1-10pts (+170) | 11+ points (+150) |
NBA odds may change depending on the latest news, especially about the availability of players. There are several Maryland online sportsbooks available that give not just odds but also statistics that might help bettors have more informed bets.
Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz Preview
The Washington Wizards may have ended their losing streak yesterday, but keeping up will need more than just a single game, especially when you defeat an injured team. The team just got their first win of the month and this may be greatly attributed to their pure defense throughout the month.
Prior to December, the Wizards are just giving up 111.9 points per game and ranked 14th in the NBA. However, it seems like their defensive capabilities diminished during the month as their opponents averaged 117.3.
They had pretty reliable scorers, Bradley Beal is averaging 23.4 points per game, Kristaps Porzingis is contributing 22.4 per night, and Kyle Kuzma is adding 21.5 per night. However, if the Wizards’ defense will not improve as the season progresses, their spell might not work in the league and might not even enter the play-in tournament.
On the brighter side, the Wizards won their first meeting of the season, 122-112. Porzingis leads with his 31 points and 10 boards, while Kyle Kuzma contributed 23 points, eight rebounds, and dished six assists.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz is also struggling this month, but not as far as the Wizards. They are 5-5 and inconsistent during December. In addition, their defensive rating is also going the wrong way. Before December, the Jazz are already one the worst teams in terms of limiting the offense of their opponents (114.4 PPG), however, their defensive rating drops further during December (115.4 PPG) which could cause significant drawbacks if not resolved promptly.
Moreover, if the Wizards want to steal a win at Utah, they should prioritize defending beyond the three-point line. Jazz is having a feast beyond the arc this season, shooting 37.0%. Their performance elevates to 38.9% when playing at home. If the Wizards do not do anything to limit the three-point attempts of the Jazz, we can expect these will be an easy game for Utah.
You may now easily access updated odds through newly launched Maryland mobile sportsbooks.
