Utah’s road woes continued on Wednesday, as the club squandered a 15-point second-half lead on their way to a 103-100 loss in Dallas. However, the Jazz have avoided losing consecutive games during their 6-3 start to the season. The Lakers return to action looking to win three in a row for the first time since January after topping the visiting New Orleans Pelicans by a 120-117 score on Wednesday night.

Pegged as betting favorites for just the second time this season, the Lakers have improved to 3-point chalk since opening at -2.5, and enjoy the backing of 57% of sports bettors. The total dipped dramatically after opening at 227, briefly tumbling to 225 before rebounding to 228, with the UNDER attracting 56% of the betting action.

Jazz vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds

Friday night’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena marks the first of four scheduled meetings between these teams this season, and the first of two dates in a four-day span. The Jazz tallied a decisive 122-109 home win in their most recent meeting with the Lakers, back on march 31. However, the Lakers have otherwise dominated in recent clashes winning seven of 10, including five of six home contests. Los Angeles has also been a reliable bet when facing the Jazz, covering in nine of their past 11 head-to-head tilts, and also enjoy a steady 8-3 against the spread when hosting Utah. The UNDER holds a slight edge, paying out in four of six meetings, with the total topping 207 just twice over that stretch.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz find themselves on the rebound after blowing big leads twice in Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets. The club compiled an early double-digit lead before giving it all back before halftime, and while they managed to storm to a 15-point lead in the third quarter, they steadily faded as the second half progressed, scoring just 22 points in the final frame. While Utah has opened the season on a steady 6-3 run, they are lucky to have avoided going winless on the road. The club needed overtime to earn wins in Minnesota and New Orleans during the first week of the season, with their 122-121 victory over the Pelicans coming after blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead. Indeed, their tendency to fade late has reached worrisome proportions after averaging just 23.6 points in the fourth quarter over their past five games, and scoring 105 or fewer points in three of their past four outings. That is reflected in the recent performance of the team’s leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen, who has averaged just 15 points per game during the team’s three-game road slide.

Los Angeles Lakers

After opening the season on a five-game losing streak, the Lakers have shown signs of turning things around with wins in the first two dates on their current four-game home stand. However, concerns remain. The Lakers led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter in Wednesday’s visit by the Pelicans before seeing that advantage disintegrate during a 31-16 New Orleans rally. With both LeBron James and Anthony Davis still hampered by injuries, and listed as day-to-day going into Friday’s action, Lonnie Walker IV stepped up in an expanded role, tallying a game-high 28 points, and has now averaged 21.8 points per game in four home appearances. However, James’ injury did not prevent him from record his first double-double in five games, with 20 points and 10 boards. Davis has remained steady despite lingering back woes, tallying double-doubles in four straight outings, capped by Wednesday’s 20-point, 16-rebound performance.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Jazz vs. Lakers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Jazz Team Leaders

UTA

Points	Lauri Markkanen 25.62
Assists	Kris Dunn 5.64
Rebounds	Lauri Markkanen 8.64
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 81.9
Steals	Kris Dunn 1.14
Blocks	Walker Kessler 2.34

LAL

Points	LeBron James 28.91
Assists	LeBron James 6.82
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.54
FG%	Davon Reed 75
Steals	Jarred Vanderbilt 1.15
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.04

UTA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 24.5
Assists	LeBron James 6.5
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 14.06
FG%	Rui Hachimura 55.7
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.38
Blocks	Anthony Davis 3.13

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

UTA

Points	Lauri Markkanen 25.62
Assists	Kris Dunn 5.64
Rebounds	Lauri Markkanen 8.64
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 81.9
Steals	Kris Dunn 1.14
Blocks	Walker Kessler 2.34

LAL

Points	LeBron James 28.91
Assists	LeBron James 6.82
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.54
FG%	Davon Reed 75
Steals	Jarred Vanderbilt 1.15
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.04

UTA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 24.5
Assists	LeBron James 6.5
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 14.06
FG%	Rui Hachimura 55.7
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.38
Blocks	Anthony Davis 3.13

Injuries

Utah

Kelly Olynyk (PF)

Ques Sun Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23

Collin Sexton (PG)

Out Sun Hamstring - 05 / 04 / 23

Kelly Olynyk (PF)

Prob Fri Illness - 29 / 03 / 23

Simone Fontecchio (SF)

Prob Wed Toe - 27 / 03 / 23

Rudy Gay (SF)

Out indefinitely Back - 23 / 03 / 23

Johnny Juzang (SG)

Ques Fri Hip - 23 / 03 / 23

Jordan Clarkson (PG)

Out indefinitely Finger - 07 / 03 / 23

Ochai Agbaji (SG)

Ques Fri Leg - 01 / 03 / 23

Jordan Clarkson (PG)

Ques Sun Thumb - 27 / 02 / 23

L.A. Lakers

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Mon Foot - 21 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sat Foot - 19 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Thurs Foot - 17 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 15 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Fri Foot - 11 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Wed Foot - 09 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Mon Foot - 07 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sat Foot - 05 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Thurs Foot - 03 / 05 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 05 / 23

Injuries

Utah

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kelly Olynyk (PF)	Ques Sun	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	2-1	2-1	+ -
Olynyk was absent from the previous contest due to rest, and it is unknown if he will take to the court against the Lakers in Sunday's tilt.
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23	2-1	2-1	+ -
Horton-Tucker has sat out the last two games with left ankle soreness, and he will not lace up versus the Lakers on Sunday.
Collin Sexton (PG)	Out Sun	Hamstring - 05 / 04 / 23	3-1	2-2	+ -
Sexton was been held out of the previous two games with a hamstring issue, and he will not be available for Sunday's clash against the Lakers.
Kelly Olynyk (PF)	Prob Fri	Illness - 29 / 03 / 23	5-2	4-3	+ -
Olynyk sat out the last contest with an illness, but it is predicted that he will participate in Friday's showdown versus the Celtics.
Simone Fontecchio (SF)	Prob Wed	Toe - 27 / 03 / 23	6-2	4-4	+ -
Fontecchio sat out the last contest with turf toe on his left foot, but it is expected that he will play Wednesday versus the Spurs.
Rudy Gay (SF)	Out indefinitely	Back - 23 / 03 / 23	7-4	7-4	+ -
Gay is sidelined with back spasms, and team officials have not yet confirmed an exact return date.
Johnny Juzang (SG)	Ques Fri	Hip - 23 / 03 / 23	7-4	7-4	+ -
Juzang is dealing with a strained left hip flexor, and it remains to be seen if he will be in the lineup versus the Bucks on Friday.
Jordan Clarkson (PG)	Out indefinitely	Finger - 07 / 03 / 23	12-5	12-4-1	+ -
Clarkson is nursing a left finger sprain, and there is no timetable for his return.
Ochai Agbaji (SG)	Ques Fri	Leg - 01 / 03 / 23	13-7	13-6-1	+ -
Agbaji exited the last match with a right lower leg contusion, leaving his status for Friday's showdown with the Thunder uncertain.
Jordan Clarkson (PG)	Ques Sun	Thumb - 27 / 02 / 23	13-7	13-6-1	+ -
Clarkson has missed the previous two contests with a right thumb sprain, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Thunder on Sunday.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Mon	Foot - 21 / 05 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Davis is nursing a right foot stress injury, but it is not expected to impact his status versus the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 19 / 05 / 23	2-1	2-1	+ -
Davis is tending to a right foot stress injury, but he is predicted to be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Thurs	Foot - 17 / 05 / 23	3-1	3-1	+ -
Davis is managing a right foot stress injury, but he is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 15 / 05 / 23	3-1	3-1	+ -
Davis is managing a right foot stress injury, but he is expected to dress for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Fri	Foot - 11 / 05 / 23	4-2	4-2	+ -
Davis is tending to a right foot stress injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Wed	Foot - 09 / 05 / 23	5-2	4-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but it is projected that that he will dress for Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Mon	Foot - 07 / 05 / 23	5-3	5-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but it is projected that that he will dress for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 05 / 05 / 23	6-3	6-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but he is forecasted to be available versus the Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Thurs	Foot - 03 / 05 / 23	7-3	6-4	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 05 / 23	7-3	6-4	+ -
Davis is nursing a right foot stress injury, but it is not expected to impact his availability for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors.