Jazz Vs Rockets: Picks, odds and injury updates ahead of Feb. 23 matchup

The Jazz vs Rockets matchup is set to tip off at 9: 30 pm ET on Monday, February 23, and betting models favor a low-scoring night for the home team. Injury report movement for Utah and a prolonged Houston scoring slide make the published picks and lines especially relevant for tonight’s Western Conference contest.

Rockets listed as massive home favorites for 9: 30 pm ET tip

The Rockets enter as massive home favorites in the Western Conference game that is scheduled to tip at 9: 30 pm ET on Monday, February 23. Kevin Durant & Co. are on the floor for Houston, but the team has been struggling to get buckets lately, which complicates the matchup with Utah.

Model pick: Rockets team total Under 120. 5 (-115) and market lines

The best bet presented is a Rockets team total Under 120. 5 (-115). The published spread is Jazz +13 (-110) and Rockets -13 (-110). The game Over/Under sits at 228. 5 (-110) for both sides. One supporting trend: the Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 21 of their last 25 games, a run credited with +16. 60 Units and a 60% ROI. Not intended for use in MA. An affiliate disclosure notes the team may receive compensation if readers sign up through links.

Offensive slide for Houston and Utah’s defensive shift

Houston ranks 26th in offensive rating over its last 12 games, a mark noted as worse than the Wizards, and the Rockets are averaging 104. 9 points per game over that stretch, next-to-last. Meanwhile, Utah — which was playing horrific defense for much of one first half earlier this month — has ranked 10th in defensive rating since February 1. That combination helps explain why the Rockets’ team total of 120. 5 is viewed as inflated and why the Rockets haven’t topped that number in 12 games.

Playmaking and matchup details: Reed Sheppard and Lauri Markkanen trends

One counterpoint for Houston is increased ball movement led in part by Reed Sheppard, the second-year guard who is averaging 4. 0 assists over his last five games and topped 3. 5 assists three times in that span. Utah, however, ranks dead last in opponent assists per possession. On the other end, Lauri Markkanen has gone Over his number in five of his last six games, a scoring and rebounding wrinkle the Rockets must contend with.

Jazz injury report: Keyonte George upgraded, Markkanen probable, Nurkic out

Utah’s injury report shows two notable upgrades: Keyonte George has been elevated to questionable from a right ankle sprain, and Lauri Markkanen has been moved to probable after missing the last game against the Memphis Grizzlies with an illness. If both are available, it would be a substantial lift for the Jazz’s offense, getting their top-two scorers back on the floor and restoring more normal rotation patterns for coach Will Hardy; those two players have averaged over 50 combined points per game this season so far.

George’s recent absences and frontcourt change for the Jazz

George has missed seven of the last eight games for Utah because of two separate ankle sprains: a left ankle sprain that sidelined him for three games before the All-Star break and a later right ankle sprain that cost him four games before recent rest. The third-year guard now might be cleared to play. Conversely, the Jazz will be without starting center Jusuf Nurkic, who has been dealing with a nose issue for the past two games and will be sidelined once more, leaving the frontcourt different for tonight’s matchup.

Kyle Filipowski expected to start in Nurkic’s place after strong Grizzlies outing

Expect Kyle Filipowski to handle starting duties in Nurkic’s absence; Filipowski started in Nurkic’s spot during Utah’s latest outing against the Grizzlies and produced an all-around line of 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in that game. That performance factors into Utah’s frontcourt plan if Nurkic remains out again.

With the Rockets struggling to score and Utah’s injury report shifting toward possible returns for Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, the published model pick favors limiting Houston’s scoring tonight in the Jazz vs Rockets matchup.