Jazz Vs Rockets: Odds, Picks and Injury Updates for Feb. 23

The jazz vs rockets matchup is set to tip off at 9: 30 pm ET on Monday, February 23, and carries conflicting signals: model-driven betting lines that make Houston a massive home favorite and fresh injury news that could alter rotations for Utah and Houston.

Model picks, spreads and totals for the matchup

The projection board lists the Rockets as massive home favorites and sets Houston’s team total at Under 120. 5 (-115). The published spread is Jazz +13 (-110) and Rockets -13 (-110), with an Over/Under at 228. 5 (-110) for both sides of the total. The model notes that Houston hasn’t topped the 120. 5 team total in 12 games, and that the Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 21 of their last 25 games for +16. 60 Units and a 60% ROI. Tip-off time is 9: 30 pm ET on Monday, February 23.

Houston’s scoring slide and what Reed Sheppard is doing

The Rockets are struggling to get buckets: Kevin Durant & Co. are having trouble scoring, and the team ranks 26th in offensive rating over its last 12 games, producing 104. 9 points per game in that stretch — a mark described as next-to-last and noted as worse than the Wizards. One corrective the projection highlights is better ball movement: second-year guard Reed Sheppard has been averaging 4. 0 assists over his last five games and topped 3. 5 assists three times in that span.

Jazz defensive form, rebounding note and betting color

Despite early-season inconsistencies — the Jazz were characterized as playing horrific defense for most of the first half of a recent game — Utah has ranked 10th in defensive rating since February 1. The model and preview combine that defensive uptick with other trends: Utah ranks dead last in opponent assists per possession, Lauri Markkanen has gone Over his number in five of his last six games, and one betting quip captures the clash neatly: Rockets can't shoot. The Jazz can't rebound. Rebounds for all!

Jazz injury upgrades: Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and rotation impact

The Jazz announced upgrades on their injury report: Keyonte George has been elevated to questionable from a right ankle sprain, and Lauri Markkanen is listed as probable after missing the team's previous game against the Memphis Grizzlies with an illness. If both are available, it is described as a massive lift for the Jazz offense — their top two scorers combine for over 50 points per game this season — and would allow head coach Will Hardy’s rotation to regain some normalcy.

George has missed seven of the last eight games in the Jazz season because of two separate ankle sprains: a left ankle sprain that sidelined him for three games before the All-Star break (he returned against the Orlando Magic) and a second right ankle sprain that cost him four games. The context notes George is a third-year guard who, with extra rest, might officially be good to go.

Jazz Vs Rockets: Jusuf Nurkic out; Kyle Filipowski expected to start

One confirmed absence on the Jazz injury report is starting center Jusuf Nurkic, who has been dealing with a nose issue for the past two games and will be sidelined once more, a situation that is expected to change Utah’s frontcourt look. Kyle Filipowski is expected to take Nurkic’s place in the starting lineup; he started in Nurkic’s stead in the Jazz’s latest outing against the Grizzlies and produced an all-around line of 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

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