The Utah Jazz will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2026, at Rocket Arena. The Jazz have struggled this season with a 13-25 record and are currently ranked 13th in the Western Conference. Head Coach Will Hardy’s team has faced recent defeats, including a tough loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, hold a record of 22-18. The Cavaliers are 7th in the Eastern Conference and have shown strong performances at home with a 14-9 record. Cleveland comes off a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they aim to continue their winning ways. Catch the game at 7:00 PM on KJZZ.
Utah Jazz Team Preview
The Utah Jazz are heading into their next game with mixed results from their recent performances. They suffered a big loss to the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 95 points compared to the Hornets’ 150. However, they did have a close win against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 116 points to the Mavericks’ 114.
In terms of season stats, the Jazz rank high in points per game, with an average of 119.0, placing them 7th in the league. They have strong performances in free throws, with a free throw percentage of 80.2, ranking 8th. However, their defense is struggling, as they allow 127.3 points per game, the most in the league.
Injuries are affecting the Jazz, with Walker Kessler out for the season due to a shoulder injury. Jusuf Nurkić is probable for the next game despite a toe issue. Ace Bailey’s participation is uncertain due to a hip flexor strain, impacting the team’s lineup stability.
Cleveland Cavaliers Team Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a strong win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 146 points at home. Donovan Mitchell led with 28 points and 8 assists. Evan Mobley also contributed with 24 points and a 68.8% shooting rate.
In recent games, the Cavaliers show a robust offense, averaging 120 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league. They attempt a high number of three-pointers, averaging 42 per game, and make 14.8 of those, placing them 5th in three-pointers made. Their free throw percentage sits at 78.0%, ranking them 16th.
Key players for the Cavaliers include Donovan Mitchell, who averages 29.8 points per game, and Evan Mobley, with 18.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Darius Garland adds 17.7 points and leads the team with 6.9 assists per game. The team faces injury challenges with Dean Wade and Max Strus both out, impacting their depth.
Betting Prediction
The Utah Jazz has one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, averaging 119.0 points per game. Their fast pace, with 102.9 possessions per game, contributes to high-scoring games. However, their defense struggles, allowing 127.3 points per game, which is the worst in the league.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also have a strong offense, scoring 120.0 points per game. They shoot a lot of threes, making 14.8 per game, which ranks them fifth in the league. Their defense allows 117.6 points per game, which is in the bottom half of the league.
Both teams’ defensive weaknesses suggest that this game could see a high score. The Jazz’s defensive stats show they allow a lot of threes and field goals. With both teams capable of scoring, the over 250.5 points looks like a good prediction.
- Pick: Over 250.5
