Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets February 22nd 2025

At 9:30 ET, the Utah Jazz (+243) will host the Houston Rockets (-294) in a Western Conference matchup. The Rockets (-7.5) are favored and have a record of 35-21, which is good for 4th in the Western Conference. The Jazz (-7.5) are 13-42 and have lost two straight.

This game will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and can be seen on SCHN.

Rockets vs. Jazz Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
• Where: Salt Lake City at Delta Center
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds HOU -7.5, HOU -294 | UTA +243 O/U 228.5

The Rockets Can Win If…

The Rockets improved to 35-21 with a 121-115 win over the Timberwolves on Friday. Houston, favored by 4 points, covered the spread with the 6-point victory. The combined score of 236 points went over the pre-game total of 222.5 by 13.5 points.

Houston jumped out to a 48-38 lead after the 1st quarter, but Minnesota responded by winning the 2nd quarter 29-20. The Rockets regained control by outscoring the Timberwolves 30-26 in the 3rd quarter and held on in the 4th, edging Minnesota 23-22 to close out the game.

Jalen Green’s 35 points and 5 made threes at 45.5% shooting led the Rockets to a win over the Timberwolves, as he shot 50% from the field. The Rockets hit 13 threes, shooting 50% from deep and overall from the field.

Alperen Sengun added 24 points despite shooting 38.1%, and Amen Thompson contributed 17 points on 77.8% shooting. Green scored 13 points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 4th.

Despite a rough start, giving up 38 points in the 1st quarter, the Rockets tightened up defensively, allowing just 22 points in the 4th to secure the win. Houston held the Timberwolves to 115 points on 44% shooting.

The Rockets excelled at defending the three, limiting Minnesota to 11 made threes on 28% shooting. Houston also controlled the boards, allowing just 7 offensive rebounds while recording 5 steals and 6 blocks.

• In their last three games away from home, the Rockets have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 0-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 105 points per game in this stretch.
• Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Rockets have an overall record of 3-2 while going 1-4 against the spread.
• Over their last five games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Jazz Can Win If…

The Jazz fell to 13-42 on the season after a 130-107 loss to the Thunder on Friday. Utah, who were +15.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home. The total points for the game were 237, just over the line of 233.

Utah got off to a rough start, trailing 29-22 after the 1st quarter and 39-25 in the 2nd. They outscored the Thunder 37-31 in the 3rd, but couldn’t close the gap, as OKC pulled away in the 4th, outscoring Utah 31-23.

John Collins led the Jazz with 26 points in their 130-107 loss to the Thunder, shooting 57.9% from the field. Keyonte George added 20 points, hitting 5 threes at a 62.5% rate, while Jordan Clarkson contributed 19 points, making 4 threes at 40% efficiency.

The Jazz connected on 15 threes, shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 45.6%. Collins scored 9 points in the 3rd quarter, while George added 8, and Clarkson put up 6 points in the final period.

The Jazz struggled defensively against the Thunder, giving up 130 points on Friday. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 39 points. Oklahoma City shot 47% from the field overall.

Utah had a hard time defending the three, as the Thunder hit 19 threes at a 44% clip. The Jazz also sent Oklahoma City to the line 20 times, where they made 19 free throws. Defensively, Utah recorded 7 steals and 2 blocks.

• Through their last three home games, Utah has an ATS record of just 0-3. However, their overall record was 0-3 while averaging 116 points per game.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Utah has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• In their last three games, the Jazz have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +7.5, we recommend going with the Jazz on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 228.5 and our model has the Rockets and Jazz finishing with a combined 223 points. Our pick is to take the under.

Rockets Aim to Build Momentum Against Jazz With Jabari Smith Jr. Back in Action

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was clear about what his team needed coming out of the All-Star break: a return to the aggressive, confident play that defined their early season success. On Friday night, his squad delivered with a 121-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they’ll have a quick chance to keep the momentum rolling when they visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

Friday’s victory not only avenged two recent losses to the Timberwolves but also marked the return of Jabari Smith Jr., who had been sidelined for 22 games with a broken left hand. Smith contributed 15 points and nine rebounds in a reserve role, giving the Rockets a boost both offensively and defensively.

“I think he’s easy (to play) because he checks a lot of boxes and we can put him in a lot of places,” Udoka said. “His rim protection, rebounding, and overall skill set are things we’ve missed, so having him back is a welcome sight.”

Jalen Green led Houston with 35 points, Alperen Sengun added 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Amen Thompson stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Winners of three of their past four games, the Rockets seem to have rediscovered the swagger Udoka wanted to see.

Jazz Look to Rebound After Tough Loss to Thunder

Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz are still searching for consistency. They returned from the All-Star break with a 130-107 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, their fifth defeat in six games. With a quick turnaround against Houston, Jazz coach Will Hardy hopes his team can quickly put Friday’s result behind them.

“It was a good kind of welcome back after All-Star break,” Hardy said. “I’m glad we have another game (Saturday).”

Veterans John Collins (26 points) and Jordan Clarkson (19 points) paced the Jazz offense, while Utah’s young core showed promise despite the loss. Rookie Keyonte George scored 20 points, Isaiah Collier tallied 12 assists, Kyle Filipowski chipped in 12 points, and Walker Kessler dominated the boards with 19 rebounds.

Hardy emphasized that with the season entering its final stretch, it’s time for his young players to step up.

“It’s time to graduate. I don’t think the rookies are rookies anymore,” Hardy said, referring to Collier and Filipowski. “They’ve had a lot of experience.”

Newcomer Jaden Springer, who signed a 10-day contract with Utah earlier this week, made his debut with seven points and two assists in 11 minutes of action. Despite limited playing time, Springer was encouraged by what he saw from his new teammates.

First of Three Meetings Between Rockets and Jazz

Saturday’s game marks the first of three matchups between the Rockets and Jazz over the next six weeks. Houston enters the contest looking to solidify its position in the playoff race, while Utah aims to build chemistry and momentum with its young core.

With Jabari Smith Jr. back in the fold and key players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun hitting their stride, the Rockets have the firepower to extend their recent run of success. But the Jazz, despite their struggles, have shown flashes of potential and will be eager to bounce back on their home court.

As both teams gear up for the final stretch of the season, Saturday night’s clash in Salt Lake City could set the tone for what’s to come.