2023 Utah Jazz Predictions with Futures Odds and Expert NBA Picks
The Utah Jazz managed to put together a respectable 37-45 campaign last season, blowing their 23.5-game pre-season win total out of the water. Lauri Markkanen locked in Most Improved Player last season, and the Jazz will be confident they can push for a play-in position with their newfound star.
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Utah Jazz Offseason Recap
The Jazz had a lackluster offseason and are once again stuck in no man's land. They won’t be good enough to push for a top seed in the West, but they will also get just enough wins to outperform the Spurs, Wizards, and Pistons, which won’t allow them to secure a lottery pick. In the offseason, they made some smart moves regarding their cap, trading away Rudy Gay and a second-round pick for John Collins.
Collins had a down season in Atlanta last year, scoring just 13.1 PPG with 6.5 Rebounds and 1.2 Assists. All of these stats are the lowest for Collins they have been since his rookie season in 2018, and the Jazz got a good deal for a player that still has plenty of time to bounce back to his early career form. The Hawks didn’t have time to wait around for Collins to rebound, but the Jazz will give him all the support he needs to succeed. He is very versatile on the offensive end, as he can hit 3, play in the screen and roll, and get to the hoop. His strong defensive presence will allow Utah to clamp down on the defensive end. And the fact that he’ll be slotting straight into the starting lineup will allow him to get off to a hot start.
Utah Jazz Season Expectations
The Jazz are expected to replicate their form from last season, as their over/under is set at 36.5 wins. This is reasonable to expect, considering the strides they made towards contention last season, and the Jazz faithful will be hoping to reignite the 6-year playoff streak they had intact before last season’s firesale. If Markkanen can replicate his offensive play from last season, the Jazz could very well find themselves fighting for a spot in the playoffs. He scored 25.6 PPG, shattering his previous career best of 18.7 PPG from 2019. He earned his first career All-Star selection and will be thoroughly hoping to play the same level of elevated basketball he consistently brought to the court last season.
Markkanen is not the only hooper in Utah, as Jordan Clarkson also had a career year, scoring 20.8 PPG while chipping in with 4.4 Assists. At 31 years old, Clarkson is entering the final years of his prime. And freshly equipped with a 2-year contract, he will certainly want to increase his stock to get one more payday before he hangs up his shoes. If Collins can reinvigorate his career, the Jazz will be able to quietly secure some upsets, with a solid trio of players capable of taking over games.
Utah Jazz Schedule Breakdown
The Jazz play 4 of their first 6 games at home, before embarking on a 4-game road trip. Favorable early home matchups against the Kings and Magic may allow this team to surprise the league like they did last season. However, after starting off last year 24-24, before finishing 13-21 down the stretch, they will need to once again get off to a hot start if they expect to be playing meaningful basketball at the tail end of the season.
Utah Jazz Odds
We are no longer getting the +50000 odds that were on offer last pre-season, but the Jazz are still a very healthy +25000 to lift the championship. It felt as though we saw the best this Jazz team can offer last season, and it’s only downhill from here. They are an outside shot to make the postseason at all, with +475 odds attached to their qualification. Their odds don’t get much better in the in-season tournament, as they are +800 to win Group A, as they are stuck with the Lakers, Suns, Grizzlies, and Trail Blazers. A 36.5 win total leaves plenty of room for non-believers to fade the Jazz this season, as it will take every single one of their players staying healthy, and playing the best basketball of their respective careers, to have tangible results in Utah.
Utah Jazz 2023-24 Season Predictions
I can’t get further away from the Jazz. It felt as though everything fell into place for them to secure 37 wins last season. And if they experience any hiccups along the way, which they inevitably will, they will fall well short of this total. Teams like the Magic, Bulls, and Raptors have much more talent and experience than the Jazz, yet they all have very similar win totals. I’m calling for the Jazz to have their worst season since 2014, with a 29-53 season. Markkanen cannot do it alone. And with limited help around him, he’ll need to once again play like an All-Star to keep this team relevant. The Under 36.5 wins for the Jazz is one of my best future bets of the year, and do not hesitate to place the bet and watch the Jazz stay far away from a .500 record. Of course, there is no point in betting on the Jazz to miss the playoffs at -700 odds. However, if you wanted to use it as a parlay piece for a multi-sport bet, I would also not be opposed.
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