Posted at 11:45 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle O232½ -106 BET365 O232 -110 Sportsinteraction O231½ -110 888Sport O231½ -117

Utah/Oklahoma City over 231½ 

Best Odds: -110 at Sportsinteraction

8:10 PM EST. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't see another high-scoring game from the Jazz and Thunder, but oddsmakers and sharps seem to be overthinking this one. This total initially came out as high as 236, but throughout the night it was bought-back down to 231. Now it rests at 232 at most books as bettors realize they might've put too much stock in the under, and we can't disagree. Tonight's listed total is lower than usual because of one main reason - Utah's two highest scorers, Lauri Markkenan and Jordan Clarkson, won't play tonight. But sportsbooks might want to do better research next time, because that hasn't changed much for the away team's production.

Defensively the Jazz have been one of worst units in the NBA all season (ranked 29th), but without Lauri Makkenan they're even worse. The big-man is important for their scoring but he's also a big, able-bodied dude who can get in the way and make opposing offenses work much harder. Markkanen typically isn't known for stout defense, though, so it may be more about the Jazz's style of play without their star. Markkanen's absence seems to be catalyzing the tempo and production of Utah's offense, a unit that ranked 9th in offensive efficiency and 12th in pace in the recent three weeks without him. Guys like rookie point-guard Keyonte George and the aggressive Collin Sexton have been producing at a high-level, often combining for 40+ points a game with their other main-men out of the picture. The Jazz can score and their defense hasn't improved one bit, so why wouldn't we love more points tonight?

And then there's the Thunder, who we probably don't have to talk much about. At this point in the season we're sure you realize that OKC owns one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA and that hasn't changed at any point over the last 5+ months of action. OKC also had a full 3 days to rest before this contest, and Friday will start a 3-game road trip.  We mention that because this is the fourth time OKC has faced Utah and while they'd like to probably rest before travelling, Utah managed to beat them in their last affair. OKC might care about this game more than pundits and bettors may think, and this is certainly a chance for them to showcase more high-octane offense at home, in a venue where they run fast and score even more (123 ppg). All three of their previous contests went far over today's total, averaging 253 ppg. Let's not overthink this, eh? We'll gladly put our money on another high-scoring affair.

Farley

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