After getting a three-day break between games, the Utah Jazz take the court to face the pesky Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are still competitive despite trading their lone all-star to Philly and have won four of their last six games, while the Jazz shrugged off a loss to OKC and put a 16-point beatdown on the Mavericks at home. Although oddsmakers have opened Utah as a 9.5-point favorite, the Jazz have fared well in that spot at 7-3-1 ATS in 11 home games this season while the total opened at 227.
STANDOUT STATS
- The Jazz defense has been outstanding in home games, ranking in the top five in points allowed, field goals and three-point attempts allowed. Utah has a +6.8 point differential in 39 home games.
- In seven games this month, the Jazz are ranked second in the NBA in points scored per game at 121.
- The Jazz are 9-2 SU and 7-3-1 ATS in 11 games as home favorites of 9 points or more this season.
- The Clippers are 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six games vs the Jazz and have dropped the last four games in this matchup by an average of 18.2 points per game.
- The Clippers are 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in five games this season as an underdog of 9 points or more.
- The total has gone OVER in the Clippers’ last four games vs the Jazz (avg. combined score: 230.25).
My Best Bet for Clippers vs Jazz
Jazz -9.5
I’m usually tentative when taking a large spread because I’ve been backdoored far too many times by the opponent even though they have no shot to win the game. That being said, Utah has made it look easy when favored by 9 or more at home and the Jazz defense has been lights-out this month even though their game log says they gave up 148 points to OKC in overtime. They should be well-rested with a three-day break and have pounded the Clippers when playing in Salt Lake City. I may wait a bit to see if this line drops to -9 for a push but I’m OK to settle at the current spread.
