PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Friday Totals Crusher
(NBA) Utah vs. Minnesota,
Total: 198.50 | -104.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 198.50 | -104.00 Under
Result: Loss
There is too much star power here for these teams not to combine to break 200 points.
Yes, Utah plays tough defense. But Minnesota doesn't. The Timberwolves ranked third-from-the-bottom in defensive field goal percentage last season. Adding Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford isn't going to help their defense.
But the Timberwolves do have plenty of offense with Teague, Crawford, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
The Jazz are down their two leading scorers from a year ago, Gordon Hayward and George Hill. Utah's new point guard, Ricky Rubio, is a former Timberwolf and is better for the Over than Hill was. Rubio will be motivated for a big performance as this is his first trip to Minnesota since being traded.
The Jazz have balanced scoring and a strong bench to make up for Hayward. Alec Burks finally is healthy and contributed 16 points off the bench in just 15 minutes in Utah's 106-99 home win against the Nuggets two nights ago.
Utah played at a quick pace during preseason when it averaged more than 112 points a game. The Jazz aren't so half-court inclined anymore with Quin Snyder.
Yes, Utah plays tough defense. But Minnesota doesn't. The Timberwolves ranked third-from-the-bottom in defensive field goal percentage last season. Adding Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford isn't going to help their defense.
But the Timberwolves do have plenty of offense with Teague, Crawford, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
The Jazz are down their two leading scorers from a year ago, Gordon Hayward and George Hill. Utah's new point guard, Ricky Rubio, is a former Timberwolf and is better for the Over than Hill was. Rubio will be motivated for a big performance as this is his first trip to Minnesota since being traded.
The Jazz have balanced scoring and a strong bench to make up for Hayward. Alec Burks finally is healthy and contributed 16 points off the bench in just 15 minutes in Utah's 106-99 home win against the Nuggets two nights ago.
Utah played at a quick pace during preseason when it averaged more than 112 points a game. The Jazz aren't so half-court inclined anymore with Quin Snyder.
