Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets: Game 2 Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick

The top-seeded Houston Rockets will go for a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference second-round playoff series versus the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz on Wednesday when they host them again in Game 2 as heavy home favorites at the sportsbooks.

The Rockets won the series opener in a 110-96 rout on Sunday, beating the spread as 11.5-point home favorites for their third straight cover.

NBA point spread: The Rockets opened as 12-point favorites; the total is at 204.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 113.8-94.1, Rockets (NBA picks on every game)

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Why the Jazz can cover the spread

The Jazz have yet to lose two games in a row this postseason, and they nearly covered the spread in Game 1, outscoring the home team 57-46 after halftime.

The problem for Utah was, the team dug itself into a 25-point hole at the intermission, which was too much to overcome.

Regardless, Houston went 1-2 ATS in its first three games against the eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round and looked complacent at times.

The Rockets did not find their groove offensively until Game 4 of that series, and they may be due for a bit of a letdown in this spot off a lopsided victory.

Why the Rockets can cover the spread

Houston made things look easy in Game 1, and that will be the same plan for Game 2.

The Rockets jumped out to a 34-21 lead after the first quarter and cruised from there, with the Jazz failing to get within double digits the rest of the way.

James Harden totaled a game-high 41 points as one of their four starters to score in double figures, and they seem to have woken up following a 121-105 loss at Minnesota in Game 3 of the first round.

Since that setback, Houston has gone 3-0 straight up and ATS, with an average margin of victory of 17 points.

Smart betting pick

The Rockets have now won the past five meetings SU and ATS, with none of those games decided by less than 11 points.

Utah simply cannot match up well with Houston at any position, unlike the team's impressive series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

As good as Jazz rookie guard Donovan Mitchell is, he played better at home against the Thunder and will need to wait until the series shifts back to Utah for Game 3 for a shot to pick up a win.

Take Houston to win and cover Game 2.

NBA betting trends

Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last five games on the road.

Utah is 0-5 ATS in its last five games against Houston.

Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.

All NBA odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.