New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz Same Game Parlay: Can Mitchell Robinson Start Strong Again?

New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz Same Game Parlay: Can You Trust Mitchell Robinson to Start Strong?

The New York Knicks are traveling out west to face the Utah Jazz tonight, with the opening tip scheduled for 9:00 PM ET. New York is 2-8 in their last 10 games, while Utah is only 3-7 themselves. Something has to give tonight, as one of these two reeling squads will snap out of their funk.

Mitchell Robinson has made a habit of starting strong for the Knicks and has a terrific opportunity to continue his first-quarter streak against a depleted Jazz front tonight.

Mitchell Robinson Same Game Parlay @ -115 (Bet $115 to win $100)

Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing

Same Game Parlay Leg 1: 2+ Points - 1st Quarter

Same Game Parlay Leg 2: 2+ Rebounds - 1st Quarter

Robinson has emerged as a major bright spot for New York. The difference between his production and the production of backups Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson has become quite pronounced. Thanks to his stellar play, he's carved out a sizable first-quarter role for New York.

Robinson has at least 2 points and at least 2 rebounds in 11 of his last 13 first-quarters. He's played at least 7 minutes in all but one of these games, which is plenty of time for him to pull down a pair of rebounds and score one bucket.

He's also averaging 4.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in his seven-plus minutes of first-quarter action during this stretch. We're just asking for 2 & 2 tonight.

Mitch lives in the paint. He hardly ever shoots anything other than dunks. 95.4% of his field goal attempts are coming within 3 feet of the rim this season. But that hardly accounts for the true scope of Robinson's shot chart.

Robinson's average field goal distance is 1.0 feet from the rim. This is actually down from his previous career-best mark of 1.3 feet last season. In fact, of the 458 players to log 100+ minutes this season, Robinson's average shot distance ranks 458th. Nobody else is even below 2.7 feet. The man dunks everything. Now, why does this matter?

Utah's interior defense without Rudy Gobert has been atrocious. Gobert will be sidelined yet again, leaving second-year backup Udoka Azubuike to match up with Robinson. During Gobert's current six-game absence, the Jazz have allowed the 5th most points within five feet of the rim, where all of Robinson's looks come from. Since January 1st, Utah has ranked 6th-worst in paint defense, while allowing the 2nd highest FG% within five feet of the rim.

The matchup should give way for Robinson to feast on a weak Utah frontline and continue his impeccable first-quarter run from the last month.