by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Dec 18, 2021
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to watch: AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain, NBC Sports Washington
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Jazz -11
BetMGM: Jazz -11.5
Caesars: Jazz -11.5
Season record
Wizards: 15-15 (7th place, Eastern Conference)
Jazz: 20-8 (3rd place, Western Conference)
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Wizards - Jazz preview and analysis
Recent form
Wizards: lost four straight; lost 118-98 at Suns on Thursday
Jazz: won eight of nine; lost 128-126 vs. Spurs on Friday
The scorching start from the Washington Wizards has since seen them come back down to Earth in a thunderous way.
Now the Wizards, who have lost seven of eight, will try to snap a four-game losing streak while continuing a six-game road trip when they face the Utah Jazz on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
This will be the second time in a week the Jazz and Wizards face each other; the Jazz jumpstarted this losing streak for the Wizards at home in a 123-98 loss to Utah. Something hasn’t clicked for the Wizards during this stretch; in their seven losses, the Wizards have lost by double digits in five of those games.
Bradley Beal scored 26 points but got no help from any of his role players. Spencer Dinwiddie did not play due to maintenance on his right knee; Aaron Holiday shot 5 of 10 in his place and finished with 11 points. Kyle Kuzma shot 2 of 6 and Daniel Gafford was 3 of 9 from the floor.
“We are in a rut right now,” Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell said. “Nobody is going to feel bad for us, brother. We've got to figure it out.”
Washington was 14-8 on Dec. 1 after an 8-point victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves but has seen their defense take a sharp decline in every game since. Washington has allowed over 100 points in every game since and hasn’t found a rhythm on offense to help Beal out.
And ultimately, that’s not a good sign for the Wizards as they face a Jazz team that’s a tad pissed after how Friday went. Utah is on the second night of a back-to-back after losing 128-126 to the San Antonio Spurs at home. Utah was in command for most of the game, but the Jazz were outscored 41-23 in the third quarter and Lonnie Walker IV hit the game-winning shot.
All five starters scored in double figures, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 27, and Mike Conley finished with a strong 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.
"We lost focus and were content to trade with them," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "Then when you start trading and they're missing and you're making, you end up with a 41-23 third quarter. To me, it's hard to overcome that and turn it back on again."
I’m never a fan of taking the team on the SEGABABA, but the fact that the Jazz are at home gives me optimism it can be done. Plus, even on hardly any rest, I’m not about to say Utah can’t score against this Wizards team.
Prediction
Someone else has to make shots for Washington right now. Beal will get his, as evidence of that last game. But if the Jazz really understand how last night was a problem, they’re going to win this game comfortably and easily cover that 11-point spread they opened with. Jazz by 20
Betting trends
The Wizards are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 December games.
The Wizards are 3-11 ATS this season off two consecutive overs.
The Jazz are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 against Southeast Division teams.
Projected starting lineup
Wizards:
PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Daniel Gafford
SF: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Daniel Gafford
Jazz:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
PF: Royce O’Neale
C: Rudy Gobert
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
PF: Royce O’Neale
C: Rudy Gobert
Key injuries
Wizards: Rui Hachimura (conditioning, out), Thomas Bryant (knee, out)
Jazz: None
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
