It’s a top-to-bottom battle in the Western Conference with the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the last-place Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
The NBA odds already have Utah listed as a massive underdog, and that spread could continue to grow with injuries up front for the visitor. With potential holes around the hoop, center Walker Kessler is called upon to pick up the slack in both scoring and rebounding.
Here are my Jazz vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for tonight's matchup.
Jazz vs Thunder prediction
My best bet
Walker Kessler to record a double-double (+200 at bet365)
My analysis
Walker Kessler comes into Wednesday as one of the rare healthy bodies in the Utah Jazz frontcourt.
Starting forwards John Collins and Lauri Markkanen have missed a string of games and are questionable for tonight, while backup forwards Johnny Juzang, Brice Sensabaugh, and Cody Williams are all dealing with ailments.
Kessler has upped his production during this rash of injuries, starting January off with a notable increase in scoring (averaging 13.3 points) while battling hard on the boards for 12.5 rebounds a game. And he’s doing so in fewer minutes, logging just under 30 minutes of action compared to 32 minutes per game in December.
He’s coming off a 19-point, 13-rebound effort in an OT loss to the Pelicans on Monday, logging 34 minutes due to the extra frame.
The Jazz’s 7-footer has recorded a double-double in five of his eight appearances this month and boasts 17 of those unique stats in 33 games. His player projections for tonight hint at another tick in the DD column, with his points forecast teetering on 10 points and his rebounding models calling for as many as 11 boards.
Those projections don’t take into account the state of the Utah frontcourt, either. If Collins or Markkanen miss another game, Kessler’s touches and prowess on the glass go up. And the last time the Jazz took on OKC, Kessler corralled 11 rebounds and scored 17 points even with the starting frontcourt at full strength.
Given the massive point spread, the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely pull away by the second half and leave lots of floor time to the Thunder’s reserves while Utah’s starters battle to make it a game. Oklahoma City plays at one of the quicker tempos in the NBA, which means more possessions and field goal attempts — panning out to increased chances for points and rebounds all around.
A milestone same-game parlay of 10+ points and 10+ rebounds for Kessler comes out to just +175, but the double-double market at bet365 is offering +200 for Kessler to post double figures in at least two categories on Wednesday night.
Jazz vs Thunder same-game parlay
Walker Kessler to record a double-double
Lu Dort 10+ points
Thunder moneyline
Kessler is the one healthy body under the basket and has posted five double-doubles in his last eight games.
Dort’s projections call for close to 12 points, and a goose egg in his last game gives extra pop to a player averaging 10 points a night.
It’s a cherry on top of the SGP, giving it a little jump past 4/1 odds. Favorites of 17 points or higher are 34-2 SU since 2020-21.
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Jazz vs Thunder odds
Jazz vs Thunder live odds
Jazz vs Thunder opening odds
- Spread: Utah +17.5 | Oklahoma City -17.5
- Moneyline: Utah +950 | Oklahoma City -1700
- Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Jazz vs Thunder spread and Over/Under analysis
- OKC opened as a 17.5-point home favorite, making this one of the biggest spreads of the season. So far this year, favorites of 17+ points are 4-0 SU and 2-1-1 ATS.
- The total hit the board at 220.5 points and has climbed as high as 226.5 O/U with Utah waiting on any positive updates on injuries to John Collins and Lauri Markkanen (both questionable). These teams went Over the closing total of 224.5 when OKC thumped Utah 133-106 back in December.
- Covers Consensus shows 57% of picks are taking the pile of points with the Jazz, while 68% of total picks are siding with the Over.
Jazz vs Thunder trend
OKC is 33-3 SU and 23-11-2 ATS as a double-digit favorite the past two seasons. Those games have also finished 15-22 Over/Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Thunder.
How to watch Jazz vs Thunder
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Date | Wednesday, 1-22-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | KJZZ, FDSN OK, TSN |
Jazz vs Thunder latest injuries
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