Two teams in contrasting form meet in Salt Lake City as the Utah Jazz host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Utah is 14th in the West with a 21-54 record, while Cleveland is fourth in the East at 46-28.
Cleveland begins a three-game road swing, while the Jazz start a two-game homestand. The two teams have faced each other 117 times in the regular season, with Utah holding a 63-54 lead. This will be their second and final meeting this season. They last met on Jan. 12, when Utah won 123-112 behind Keyonte George’s 32 points and nine assists. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 23 points.
The nonconference matchup is slated for a 9 p.m. tipoff at the Delta Center. KJZZ, Jazz+, and FDSOH will broadcast the game.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Odds
Moneyline: Cavaliers (-1650) vs Jazz (-950)
Spread: Cavaliers -17.5 (-110) vs Jazz +17.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): Cavaliers o243.5 (-110) vs Jazz u243.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Preview
The Cavaliers are entering a crucial stretch of their season that could determine their playoff positioning and home-court advantage. Four of their next eight games are against teams fighting for better seeding, including matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks (twice).
This stretch will test how strong the Cavs really are because, despite holding the fourth spot in the East, they haven’t shown much confidence in winning on the road so far. Cleveland has a four-game cushion over the fifth-place Toronto Raptors but remains within striking distance of the third-place New York Knicks, who have recently suffered back-to-back losses.
The Cavs are coming off a dominant 149-128 win against the Miami Heat on Friday. Max Strus led the team in scoring with 29 points, while Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz are out of playoff contention. They are on a five-game losing streak and have won just one of their last 10 games. It has been another disappointing season for the rebuilding Jazz, who are already looking ahead to the offseason and the draft to improve their roster.
Utah last played on Friday, losing 135-129 to the Denver Nuggets. Kyle Filipowski led the team with 25 points, while Cody Williams added 24 points. Keyonte George and John Collins chipped in with 16 points each.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Injury Reports
Cleveland Cavaliers Report
Cleveland will be a bit shorthanded for the matchup, as Jarrett Allen (knee), Max Strus (foot), Jaylon Tyson (toe) and Dean Wade (ankle) will miss the game due to injuries. Meanwhile, Craig Porter Jr., who has missed the last seven games with a groin injury, is probable to return.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
The Jazz also have their fair share of injuries, with Keyonte George (hamstring), Isaiah Collier (hamstring), Lauri Markkanen (hip), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Walker Kessler (shoulder) all ruled out.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Starting Lineups
Cavaliers
PG: James Harden | SG: Donovan Mitchell | SF: Keon Ellis | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Thomas Bryant
Jazz
PG: Kennedy Chandler | SG: Cody Williams | SF: Brice Sensabaugh | PF: Ace Bailey | C: Kyle Filipowski
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Prediction
Bettors are backing the Cavaliers to secure a lopsided win on the road. The Cavs will be highly motivated to maintain their position at or above fourth place in the standings and should come out strong to cover the spread, with the team total set under 243.5 points.
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