Jazz vs. Pistons Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, December 20 (Jazz Undervalued on Road)
By Peter Dewey
![Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) talks to head coach Will Hardy. Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) talks to head coach Will Hardy.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4893,h_2752,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01gmqwj1nq9wa6q9sd5q.jpg)
The Utah Jazz were blown out in a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, but they have a bounce-back spot in Detroit on the docket on Tuesday.
The Detroit Pistons are likely going to be a top half of the lottery team this season now that Cade Cunningham is done for the year, and they've lost seven of their last 10 games to fall to 8-24 on the season.
Utah has taken a major step back since its hot start to the 2022-23 season, but the team still has the No. 4 offensive rating in the NBA.
With Collin Sexton and Kelly Olynyk potentially out for the Jazz, they are very short road favorites in this game. Can Utah get back on track in the second leg of a back-to-back?
Here’s a look at the latest odds and a pick for this matchup:
Jazz vs. Pistons Odds, Spread and Total
Jazz vs. Pistons Prediction and Pick
The Jazz did not compete against the Cavs on Monday night, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to go away from them against a much lesser Pistons team.
Detroit has struggled at home this season, going just 4-11 straight up, and the team is losing games by an average margin of 6.7 points at home.
With this line at 2.5, I think there is value in taking Utah and it high-powered shooting offense to win and cover.
Against Cleveland’s No. 1 defense, the Jazz didn’t make sense as a bet, but now they face the Pistons who rank 29th in the league in defensive rating and just 23rd in offensive rating.
Utah is fourth in offense and 25th in defense, so the team has a clear advantage scoring the ball here. Even with Olynyk and Sexton out, I think the Jazz can win this game and keep themselves in the conversation for the playoffs in the West.
Utah is also solid in the second leg of back-to-backs this season, going 5-3 against the spread. This line is way too short for me to fade the Jazz.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.