If the Jazz are still having trouble convincing experts and bettors that they’re for real, a win Wednesday against the Lakers could go a long way toward silencing the doubters.
The Jazz own an incredible 25-6 SU record and a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers atop the Western Conference standings – and adding a win over the defending champs, even with them shorthanded, will only enhance their season resume.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The absence of Lakers starters Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder has oddsmakers squarely on the side of the host Jazz, who are whopping 8.5-point favourites Wednesday night. Yet, despite the Lakers’ recent struggles and Utah riding a sizzling 9-1 ATS hot streak, nearly three-quarters of Sports Interaction bettors are taking the Lakers and the point. Of note: Los Angeles has covered each of its previous four games at +8 or higher.
The total for this one comes in at an even 220, with 77 percent of the Sports Interaction crowd siding with the Under. That’s to be expected, given that both teams have skewed toward the Under this season (the Lakers are 13-19 O/U, while the Jazz are 14-16-1). Los Angeles has taken the trend one step further when playing away from Staples Center, with 13 Unders against just three Overs in 16 road games on the season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Losing Davis and Schroder hasn’t just put a strain on the Lakers’ offence – it has also forced the team to ask more out of LeBron James in his 17th NBA season. And while James told reporters following Monday’s 127-124 overtime loss to Washington that he doesn’t need more rest, he’s clearly trending in the wrong direction. James is averaging an eye-popping 38.2 minutes in 11 February games, up from 33.9 in January and way up from 31.4 in December.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz might not be the flashiest team in the league, but they have all the pieces necessary to not only dominate the regular season, but to fashion a long postseason run. They have the elite distributor in Mike Conley, the electrifying wing scorer in Donovan Mitchell, the rim protecting big in Rudy Gobert and the sensational sixth man in Jordan Clarkson. And those four form the core of a Jazz team that has already posted 21 double-digit victories this season.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Jazz?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 22 Feb 12:52pm | LAL | -15.5 -119 | O +160.5 -108 |
| Closing 25 Feb 2:04am | LAL | -8.5 -105 | O +218.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
26.43 |
| Assists |
5.98 |
| Rebounds |
13.52 |
| FG% |
67.5 |
| Steals |
1.37 |
| Blocks |
2.68 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
32.3 |
| Assists |
7.67 |
| Rebounds |
12.27 |
| FG% |
74.1 |
| Steals |
1.1 |
| Blocks |
2.09 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Jazz Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
26.43 |
| Assists |
5.98 |
| Rebounds |
13.52 |
| FG% |
67.5 |
| Steals |
1.37 |
| Blocks |
2.68 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
32.3 |
| Assists |
7.67 |
| Rebounds |
12.27 |
| FG% |
74.1 |
| Steals |
1.1 |
| Blocks |
2.09 |
Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Andre Drummond (C)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Marc Gasol (C)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Miye Oni (SG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Juwan Morgan (PF)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Derrick Favors (PF)
Joe Ingles (SF)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Elijah Hughes (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 | 2-2 | 0-3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Andre Drummond (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 0-5-1 | + - |
|
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Marc Gasol (C) | Prob Sun | Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 3-6-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miye Oni (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 28 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Oni is bothered by lower-back soreness, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Sun | Illness - 22 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 8-3 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is ailing from an illness, leaving his status against the Grizzlies for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round clouded. |
|||||
| Juwan Morgan (PF) | Prob Fri | Heel - 06 / 05 / 21 | 11-7 | 12-6 | + - |
|
Morgan has sat out the past four games due to a heel injury, but it is likely that he will take the court Friday against the Thunder. |
|||||
| Royce O'Neale (SF) | Ques Fri | Wrist - 29 / 04 / 21 | 12-10 | 14-8 | + - |
|
O'Neale is battling right wrist soreness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Friday's matchup versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 18 / 04 / 21 | 14-12 | 15-11 | + - |
|
Ilyasova missed the previous game with left hamstring tightness, but it is likely that he will suit up versus the Rockets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Derrick Favors (PF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 16 / 04 / 21 | 14-14 | 15-13 | + - |
|
Favors has missed the last two games due to right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup versus the Lakers on Monday. |
|||||
| Joe Ingles (SF) | Ques Fri | Knee - 13 / 04 / 21 | 15-15 | 17-13 | + - |
|
Ingles was held out of the previous game due to left knee soreness, and it is unknown if he will line up for Friday's tilt versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Royce O'Neale (SF) | Out Tues | Rest - 13 / 04 / 21 | 15-15 | 17-13 | + - |
|
O'Neale will not be active against the Thunder on Tuesday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 21 | 16-17 | 18-15 | + - |
|
Clarkson has missed the previous four games with a sprained right ankle, but it is projected that he will take the court Friday versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Elijah Hughes (SG) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 03 / 04 / 21 | 17-19 | 19-17 | + - |
|
Hughes has missed the previous three games with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will take the court Thursday versus the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Feb 12:52pm LAL -15.5 -119 O +160.5 -108 Closing 25 Feb 2:04am LAL -8.5 -105 O +218.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 26.43
Assists 5.98
Rebounds 13.52
FG% 67.5
Steals 1.37
Blocks 2.68
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 32.3
Assists 7.67
Rebounds 12.27
FG% 74.1
Steals 1.1
Blocks 2.09
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Jazz Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 26.43
Assists 5.98
Rebounds 13.52
FG% 67.5
Steals 1.37
Blocks 2.68
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 32.3
Assists 7.67
Rebounds 12.27
FG% 74.1
Steals 1.1
Blocks 2.09
-
Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21Andre Drummond (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Marc Gasol (C)
Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Miye Oni (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 28 / 05 / 21Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Sun Illness - 22 / 05 / 21Juwan Morgan (PF)
Prob Fri Heel - 06 / 05 / 21Royce O'Neale (SF)
Ques Fri Wrist - 29 / 04 / 21Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 18 / 04 / 21Derrick Favors (PF)
Prob Mon Knee - 16 / 04 / 21Joe Ingles (SF)
Ques Fri Knee - 13 / 04 / 21Royce O'Neale (SF)
Out Tues Rest - 13 / 04 / 21Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 08 / 04 / 21Elijah Hughes (SG)
Ques Thurs Illness - 03 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 2-2 0-3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C) Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 3-3 0-5-1 + - Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C) Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 4-6 3-6-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Miye Oni (SG) Prob Sat Back - 28 / 05 / 21 6-3 7-2 + - Oni is bothered by lower-back soreness, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Grizzlies.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Sun Illness - 22 / 05 / 21 7-4 8-3 + - Ilyasova is ailing from an illness, leaving his status against the Grizzlies for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round clouded.
Juwan Morgan (PF) Prob Fri Heel - 06 / 05 / 21 11-7 12-6 + - Morgan has sat out the past four games due to a heel injury, but it is likely that he will take the court Friday against the Thunder.
Royce O'Neale (SF) Ques Fri Wrist - 29 / 04 / 21 12-10 14-8 + - O'Neale is battling right wrist soreness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Friday's matchup versus the Suns.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Prob Wed Hamstring - 18 / 04 / 21 14-12 15-11 + - Ilyasova missed the previous game with left hamstring tightness, but it is likely that he will suit up versus the Rockets on Wednesday.
Derrick Favors (PF) Prob Mon Knee - 16 / 04 / 21 14-14 15-13 + - Favors has missed the last two games due to right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup versus the Lakers on Monday.
Joe Ingles (SF) Ques Fri Knee - 13 / 04 / 21 15-15 17-13 + - Ingles was held out of the previous game due to left knee soreness, and it is unknown if he will line up for Friday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Royce O'Neale (SF) Out Tues Rest - 13 / 04 / 21 15-15 17-13 + - O'Neale will not be active against the Thunder on Tuesday as he will be given a day of rest.
Jordan Clarkson (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 08 / 04 / 21 16-17 18-15 + - Clarkson has missed the previous four games with a sprained right ankle, but it is projected that he will take the court Friday versus the Pacers.
Elijah Hughes (SG) Ques Thurs Illness - 03 / 04 / 21 17-19 19-17 + - Hughes has missed the previous three games with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will take the court Thursday versus the Trail Blazers.