The NBA First Round Playoff Games have arrived as Pickswise will be handing out daily winning NBA picks starting on Sunday. With over a decade of combined winning experience, Pickswise is your number one NBA first round playoff resource to win. To kick off the first round playoff games, the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets from the Western Conference will go toe to toe. Enjoy these free NBA first round playoff predictions? Give @Pickswise a follow and get a first hand-look on his daily research.
Jazz vs. Rockets First Round Playoff Predictions
Game 1: Jazz vs. Rockets
Line: Rockets -260
Pickswise Expert Picks: Rockets Win
The Rockets fell to the four seed in the final game of the season which means if they get to the next round they will have to face the Warriors, but I think they will have little trouble with the Jazz in this series and in this game. The Rockets are -260 on the moneyline compared to the Jazz at +215 but even at the big price, the play in this game is with the home squad.
The Jazz have had a nice season but they have been basically lights out at home this season. Coming into this game they are 31-10 straight up at home. Donovan Mitchell is also questionable in this game for the Jazz. Even if he is able to go, I don’t think he will be 100 percent and that is going to spell trouble. Look for the James Harden show to be in full force, and for the Rockets to win this game on the money line.
Game 2: Jazz vs. Rockets
Line: Rockets -290
Pickswise Expert Picks: Rockets Win
After the Houston Rockets had no issue dispensing the Utah Jazz in Game one, there is no reason to think it can’t happen again in game two. The Rockets currently sit at -280 on the money line while the Jazz are +230 on the money line if they were to pull the big upset. Everyone knows the Rockets can score, but in game one they only gave up 90 points to the Jazz and although I am not sure they repeat that type of performance in this game, they should do enough to get the job done. James Harden had 29 points in game one and that isn’t actually that impressive so it’s concerning they won by such a big number without him dominating. -280 is a big number to lay but it’s still a pretty safe bet. I don’t think this will be a situation like the Warriors faced, and this is a solid bet.
Game 3: Jazz vs. Rockets
Line: Jazz -120
Pickswise Expert Picks: Rockets Win
The Houston Rockets have won the first two games of the series against the Utah Jazz and even though this series flips back to Utah, the play is on the Jazz at plus money on the money line. In the first two games of this series the Jazz failed to score 100 points and even though they have the crowd on their side I don’t think it’s going to make a huge difference. The Rockets only give up .4 more points per game on the road compared to their season average and I look for their defense to lock down in this game. James Harden hasn’t even had to play that great yet this series to have success so even if he needs to he can turn it on in this game and help the Rockets win this game.
Game 4: Jazz vs. Rockets
Line: Rockets -160
Pickswise Expert Picks: Rockets Win
Some of the easiest money that will be made this playoffs is going to be in game four between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz. Donovan Mitchell couldn’t hit a wide open three that would have given them a chance to win game three and it led to a loss and now down 0-3 this series is ending on Monday night. James Harden went 3-20 and the Rockets were still able to win by three points. Harden is going to have a big game in this one and they should have no issue winning this big. Look for it to be the Harden show and for the Rockets to win this game big. Don’t be afraid to lay a big bet on the money line for the Rockets to come away with the win.
Game 5: Jazz vs. Rockets
Line: Rockets -430
Pickswise Expert Picks: Rockets Win
I was wrong on the Rockets being able to close this series out in game four but it was also hard to predict that the Rockets would only scored 12 total points in the 4th quarter. The good news for the Rockets is they return home and James Harden was good for the first three quarters in game four. At home this season the Rockets are 33-10 straight up while the Jazz are only 21-21 away from home. Donovan Mitchell was good in the last two games but I think he will go back to the form of the beginning of the is series and he will finish with right around 15 points. That won’t be enough to get this done, and the Rockets should have no issue in this game. You can back the Rockets with confidence in this game.
