by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Dec 27, 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Where to watch: Bally Sports Southwest-San Antonio, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Jazz -7.5
BetMGM: Jazz -7.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Jazz: 23-9 (3rd place, Western Conference)
Spurs: 14-18 (10th place, Western Conference)
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Jazz - Spurs preview and analysis
Recent form
Jazz: won three straight; won 120-116 vs. Mavericks on Saturday
Spurs: won three straight; won 144-109 vs. Pistons on Sunday
The Utah Jazz will not have All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell for Monday's game against the San Antonio Spurs, despite Utah being favored by more than a touchdown.
Mitchell will miss the next two games due to a back injury.
We're clearly working off the Jazz having a day off after winning their Christmas Day game on Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks, rallying from down double digits in the first quarter and holding on for a 4-point win.
Mitchell had a game-high 33 points on 11 of 26 shooting, but went 10 of 11 from the free-throw line. Bojan Bogdanovic had 25 points, while Mike Conley had 22 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists.
"I grew up watching these game and wanting to be in this position," Mitchell said. "To play on Christmas is special. It's an honor and a blessing."
But the Jazz struggled against a shorthanded Mavs team; Luka Doncic (COVID) did not play, nor did big man Maxi Kleber, wing Reggie Bullock, and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. It might have been a different outcome had Doncic at least played, considering Kristaps Porzingis going off for 27 points and nine rebounds.
Nevertheless, the Jazz have won three straight despite giving up more than 100 points in each of those games; the 102 allowed against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 20 are the fewest in that span.
But even without Mitchell, the Jazz are in good shape going against a red-hot San Antonio club that's won four of five. The Spurs are playing the second end of a home back-to-back after demolishing the Detroit Pistons by 35 on Sunday. Keldon Johnson led the way with 27 points on 10 of 12 shooting while making four 3-pointers.
"They came out aggressively and kept it for most of the 48 minutes. That was nice to see," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "A lot of guys got to participate, but, obviously, it wasn't a fair fight. The Pistons are in tough shape right now with all the guys they are missing."
The Spurs did benefit from facing a shorthanded Pistons team with five players in COVID protocol; coach Dwane Casey wasn't available due to personal reasons. San Antonio played 14 players and got enough rest for the starters after shooting 56 percent from the floor. If there's a plot to go after if you want the Spurs with the points, that would do it.
One key name missing for the Spurs is point guard Dejounte Murray, who was placed in COVID protocol on Sunday.
Prediction
Both teams are missing important players on the perimeter, but Utah's depth with Conley and Bogdanovic should give San Antonio fits. This seems like a game where Rudy Gobert could dominate and impose his will. I like the Jazz to win, but the Spurs barely cover. Jazz by 6
Betting trends
The Jazz are 15-15 ATS as a favorite this season.
The Jazz are 8-10 ATS this season following a home game.
The over is 11-2 in Spurs home games this season.
Projected starting lineup
Jazz:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Bojan Bogdanovic
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Royce O’Neale
C: Rudy Gobert
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Royce O’Neale
C: Rudy Gobert
Spurs:
PG: Tre Jones
SG: Derrick White
SF: Doug McDermott
PF: Keldon Johnson
C: Jakob Poeltl
SF: Doug McDermott
PF: Keldon Johnson
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key injuries
Jazz: Donovan Mitchell (back, out)
Spurs: Dejounte Murray (COVID, out)
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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.
