The Utah Jazz, who are fighting to get past the Lakers and into the postseason, welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to Salt Lake City tonight for a Western Conference clash at the EnergySolutions Arena. Start time in this evening’s battle between the Jazz and Timberwolves is set for 9:00pm ET. NBA Odds have Utah listed as a -8.5 against the spread and -450 moneyline favorite; the Over/Under is set at 196 points. Minnesota is drawing +350 moneyline odds ($100 wins $350) to win its first game against the Jazz this season.

Utah currently trails the Lakers by one game in the chase for the final Western Conference playoff spot thanks to Tuesday’s 90-80 home loss to the Thunder. The loss, the Jazz second in their last nine games, saw Al Jefferson and company shoot an abysmal 39.2 percent from the field.

Utah, now 41-38 overall, should perform better this evening with the defensively challenged Timberwolves in town. The Jazz averaged 101.5 points per game in their two previous 2013 wins over Minnesota, which ranks 24th in the league in field goal percentage allowed.

The Timberwolves, who are 29-49, have won four of their last eight games, but they enter tonight’s contest off of back to back double digit road losses to the Warriors and Clippers. Their skid figures to continue given their woes at the EnergySolutions Arena. Minnesota has lost six in a row and nine of its last 11 games in Salt Lake City, falling to the Jazz by an average of 14.8 points per game during that stretch.

Notable Trends: Minnesota is 1-6 against the spread in its last seven games as a road dog with a total between 195 and 200 points. Utah is 9-1 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 195 and 200 points.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Utah Jazz NBA Odds:

Minnesota Timberwolves +8.5 (-105), Over 196 (-110), +350 (Moneyline)

Utah Jazz -8.5 (-105), Under 196 (-110), -450 (Moneyline)

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