Los Angeles Lakers vs
Utah JazzPredictions & Preview

Jazz Favored to Capitalize on Lakers' Defensive Weaknesses in Final Matchup of the Season

The upcoming matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz will be the fourth and final game between the teams this season. The Lakers have won all three previous games, including a recent 132-113 victory on Monday night. Despite the Jazz opening as +8 underdogs, the betting line has remained unchanged. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 EST. Stay tuned for our Lakers vs. Jazz prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Lakers -270 | Jazz +220
• Spread: Lakers -8 (-110) | Jazz +8 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 236.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 73%.

Los Angeles vs Utah Stats

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers recently debuted their new star, Luka Doncic, in a game against Utah where he played 24 minutes and scored 14 points. The Lakers have won six games in a row and are currently in 4th place in the Western Conference. LeBron James has been consistent this season and will be starting in the upcoming All-Star Game. Doncic has also been performing well, averaging 27.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 7.7 APG. The Lakers are ranked 14th in scoring and 13th in defense, with a record of 32-19 this season. LeBron, Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and Bronny James are game-time decisions for upcoming games. Los Angeles averages 48.45% field goal percentage, 79.61% free throw percentage, and 35.84% three-point percentage on offense, while allowing 46.62% field goal percentage, 79.23% free throw percentage, and 35.34% three-point percentage on defense.

Utah Jazz Analysis

The Utah Jazz are currently in a battle to avoid finishing in last place in the Western Conference, with only 12 wins on the year. They have lost their last three games, with their top scorer Lauri Markkanen averaging 19.2 PPG. Collin Sexton, the second leading scorer, is dealing with an ankle injury. Keyonte George is a promising prospect, averaging 16.4 PPG and a team high 5.8 APG. John Collins leads the team in scoring with 18.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG, while Walker Kessler leads in rebounding with 11.9 per game and 11.2 PPG. The Jazz rank 23rd in power ranking, 19th in offense, and 28th in defense. They average 111.87 points per game on offense, while allowing 119.37 points per game on defense. The team shoots 45.68% from the field, 79.05% from the free-throw line, and 35.34% from three-point range. On defense, they allow opponents to shoot 47.86% from the field, 76.93% from the free-throw line, and 35.65% from three-point range. Utah averages 45.42 rebounds per game, 25.52 offensive assists, and 16.65 turnovers per game. Defensively, they average 42.56 defensive rebounds, 28.75 defensive assists, and 11.33 turnovers per game.

Jazz Favored to Capitalize on Lakers' Defensive Weaknesses in Upcoming Matchup

In the upcoming venture with the Lakers roster, it is anticipated that there may be challenges along the way. In this context, the Jazz are favored to score points at home, as they only narrowly lost the previous game against the Lakers at their home court. The Jazz are likely to capitalize on a potential weakness in the Lakers lineup, particularly concerning defense in the interior. While the Lakers boast strong perimeter talent, their defensive presence inside the paint with players like Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes may raise concerns. On the contrary, the Jazz have skilled big men such as John Collins, Kessler, and Lauri Markkanen who can pose a scoring threat near the basket. This presents a favorable opportunity for the Jazz to exploit the Lakers' defensive vulnerabilities, especially after their recent match-up. With the expectation of limited playing time for key Lakers players like LeBron and Luka, the Jazz are in a good position to stay competitive and cover the spread. Hence, it is advisable to consider selecting Utah to cover in this scenario.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]