The Clippers are 14-2 SU and 11-5 ATS at home this season, but they’ve recently struggled on their home court against Utah, where they have covered just twice in their last nine games. The Clippers opened as sizeable home favorites, but can bettors side with them on Saturday?
- Date/Time: December 28, 10:30 PM ET
- Stadium: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: Fox Sports Prime Ticket, AT&T SportsNet
- Sportsbook Odds: Clippers -8 | O/U 218.5
- Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Los Angeles is one of the league’s most dominant teams at home SU and ATS, and they opened up as eight-point favorites over a Utah team without point guard Mike Conley. Both teams have strong defenses, so the total opened at just 218.5, although both clubs have seen a lot of their totals go OVER lately.
Utah News & Notes
Donovan Mitchell may lead the Jazz in scoring (and currently sit 12th in the league overall), Utah is near the bottom of the league in offensive output from guards. Utah averages 52.5 points per game from their backcourt… and Mitchell accounts for 25.1 points per game by himself.
In an effort to bolster their backcourt scoring depth, especially with starting point guard Mike Conley out indefinitely, the Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Cavaliers earlier this week. Averaging 14.6 points per game with Cleveland this year, Clarkson made his debut in Thursday’s 121-115 win over Portland, where he scored nine points in 21 minutes — the second-highest output for a Jazz guard in the game.
Despite being 22nd in league scoring, Utah has seen the total go OVER in their last seven games, where they are 6-1 SU over that span. As Clarkson settles in with his new club, the Jazz should expect a little more offensive boost — and possibly more games going OVER in their future.
Los Angeles News & Notes
The Clippers may not have a better record, but they’ve definitely staked their claim as the top team in Los Angeles following their Christmas Day victory.
Rallying back from a 15-point third-quarter deficit in a 111-106 victory over their Staples Center neighbors, the Clippers have moved to 23-10 on the season; good for second in the Pacific Division.
Los Angeles, however, has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses over their past six games and are looking to grab consecutive wins for the first time since December 11 and 13.
They’ve already faced Utah twice this season, with each team winning on their home court. Saturday’s contest is in Los Angeles, where the Clippers are 14-2 SU this season, so the Clippers likely have an advantage — but they’re only 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games against the Jazz, so their chances of covering the spread as favorites could aren’t as high as you’d normally expect.
Betting Pick: OVER 218.5
Both the Clippers and the Jazz have seen the total go OVER in five of their last seven games. With a low total Saturday, why not have the OVER hit again?
- The OVER has hit in 5 of the Clippers' last 7 games.
- Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games vs the Clippers.
- Utah is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games.
