Jazz vs. Clippers Pick
Are the Utah Jazz going to knock off the undermanned host Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Jazz are a 1.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is 202 points.
Utah enters with a 10-11 overall record and 11-10 ATS after a 106-77 home win over the Nuggets, its third victory in a row. Los Angeles is 8-11 overall and 8-11 ATS following a 120-115 home victory over the Lakers, its third triumph in a row as well. The Clippers won the first meeting this season on their home floor as they prevailed 102-84 on Oct. 24. The last 10 meetings dating back to March of 2017 have gone 5-5 straight up, while the Jazz are 6-4 ATS. The over-under has gone 5-5.
In the win against Denver, Derrick Favors led the way with 24 points along with nine rebounds and five assists. He also blocked three shots. Donovan Mitchell tallied 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jonas Jerebko added 15 points and eight boards. Utah outscored the Nuggets 58-28 in the second half.
The Clippers' win over the Lakers was marred by an injury to Blake Griffin as he will miss the next two months with a torn MCL. Lou Williams tallied 42 points, four rebounds and three assists to highlight the victory. Griffin had 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes before departing. Austin Rivers added 19 points, eight boards and six assists. The Clippers outscored their rivals 33-26 in the fourth quarter.
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last five meetings in Los Angeles. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles without its star in Griffin seems like a hopeless situation. Utah has played competitive basketball despite the absence of its star in center Rudy Gobert (knee), but it took an adjustment period. The Clippers are in their first full game without Griffin and while the so-called Ewing Theory could be in effect, it's hard to envision LA winning its first game after a devastating injury to its best player.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: UTAH JAZZ -1.5