| Game Time | 8:00 pm EST |
| Los Angeles Lakers Line | -7.5 |
| Utah Jazz Line | +7.5 |
| Total | 230.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again on the road, where they have been struggling this season, being a below average team, as they visit the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are playing their second leg of a home back-to-back, and have won only once in their last seven games. The Lakers have also cooled off lately, having won only once in their last five games, so both teams are looking to return to the winning ways in this Western Conference matchup.
Below is a detailed analysis for Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz game.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz Prediction
Utah Jazz Injury Report: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Fillipowski and Drew Eubanks are day-to-day, Taylor Hendricks is out.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report: Jaxon Hayes, Bronny James are day-to-day, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are out.
Utah Jazz Recent Form and Trends
The Jazz have a 4-14 record this season and are sitting on the second to last place of the West. The Jazz are 8-10 against the spread and 8-10 in over/under. Utah has a 2-7 record, but 3-6 against the spread with an -11.2-point differential. The Jazz are 1-6 in their last 7 games. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 home games.
The Jazz are coming off a 103-122 loss by the Nuggets, as they shot with just 42% from the field, while allowing Denver to shoot with 55%. Collin Sexton led Utah’s offense with 26 points and 4 assists.
Lauri Markkanen leads the Jazz in scoring with 19.5 points, adding 6.6 rebounds per game. John Collins adds 17.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, but both are questionable for today.
Los Angeles Lakers Recent Form and Trends
The Lakers have a 11-8 record this season and are tied with the Mavericks on the 6th place of the West. LA is 8-11 against the spread and 9-10 in over/under. The Lakers have a 4-5 road record, but 3-6 against the spread, with a -5.6-point differential. The Lakers are 1-4 in their last 5 games, and 1-6 against the spread in their last 7. Under is 4-0 in their last 4 games.
The Lakers are coming off a 93-101 loss by the Thunder, even though they shot better from the field (45% to 41%). Rookie Dalton Knecht led the Lakers’ offense with 20 points with 6 triples as he is now starting for the team.
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers both in scoring with 28.4 points and in rebounding with 11.6 per game, as he is having one of the best seasons of his career so far. LeBron James adds 22.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and a team-high 9.1 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Jazz are averaging just 109.4 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. Utah shoots with 45% from the field (22nd) and with 34.7% from beyond the arc (21st). Defensively, they rank 27th in the NBA, allowing 119.2 points per game.
Offensively, the Lakers average 114.4 point per game, ranking 10th in the league. LA is shooting with 48.1% from the field (7th), and 36.3% from beyond the arc (13th). Defensively, they have been less effective, allowing 115.7 points per game, which ranks 24th in the NBA.
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Lakers won 124-118 at home, not covering the spread. The Lakers are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Jazz, but the Jazz are 7-2 against the spread in their last 9. Over is 8-1 in their last 9 meetings.
Prediction
In this Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz Prediction, the Lakers are coming as -7.5 road favorites. It is hard to back the Lakers on the road, as they have been a losing road team, with a -5.6-point differential. The Jazz are playing their second game in two nights and with their three best scorers questionable, it is hard to make a case as home dogs. But both teams have been involved in low scoring games recently, going for 7-1 to the under in their last 8 games combined. With the Jazz probably missing some of their best scorers, I don’t expect a lot of points, so take the under in this one.
Nick’s Pick: Under 230.5