NBA Basketball Odds: Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Frank Martin
While the presence of Andrea Bargnani may not make the Toronto Raptors playoff contenders, it's clear the team is much better with the 7-footer on the floor. Bargnani looks to build off a sensational performance in his return from a strained calf as he leads the Raptors into Utah to face the red-hot Jazz on Wednesday. Bargnani missed six games with the injury, and Toronto didn't win once in his absence.
He returned in style Tuesday night, scoring 18 of his game-high 36 points in the third quarter of a 99-96 triumph over the Phoenix Suns. The former first overall pick hit four of five 3-point attempts as Toronto beat the Suns for the first time in eight years. Things don't get any easier Wednesday as the Raptors take on a Utah Jazz team that has won eight of its last 10 games and has dominated Toronto of late, having won the last 12 head-to-head matchups. Utah hasn't played since defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-98 at home on Saturday night.
- Toronto Raptors @ Utah Jazz
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Where: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN2, Fox Sports Southwest Plus
The Jazz have opened as 10.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Toronto Raptors (5-13): Bargnani is averaging a career-best 23.4 points through 12 games this season, but he faces a stiff challenge from a Jazz team that has traditionally given him fits. The 26-year-old Italian star averages just 12.1 points on 36.6 percent from the field in nine career games against Utah. He had a breakout game against the Jazz in the only meeting between the clubs last season, scoring 26 points and adding nine rebounds in a 125-108 loss.
Utah Jazz (10-5): Utah has made the most of a home-heavy January schedule that will see them play just three times away from Salt Lake City all month. The Jazz have been one of the top offensive clubs over the past two weeks, scoring at least 106 points in five of their last seven games. Power forward Paul Millsap has been a key to the offensive resurgence, averaging 17.8 points on 58.9 percent shooting in 11 games so far this month.
1. Toronto's last win against Utah came on Dec. 22, 2004, when the Raptors earned a 98-86 victory at the Air Canada Centre.
2. The Jazz's schedule catches up with them in February, when they'll play nine of 14 games away from Utah.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Jazz 92, Raptors 85
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andrea bargnani - energysolutions arena - paul millsap - toronto raptors - utah jazz