The Jazz (24-5 SU, 22-6-1) haven’t just won 20 of their last 21 games — they’ve demolished opponents in the process. Utah looks for its ninth straight cover when it visits the undermanned Clippers (21-9, 17-13) for the second time in three days. The Jazz whipped LA 114-96 on Wednesday when the Clips were without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
- Date/Time: February 19, 10 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Jazz -4 | O/U 225.5 (Line History)
- Jazz vs Clippers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The uncertain status of Leonard and George caused oddsmakers to keep this game off the board until Friday morning. Eventually, books opened the Jazz as 4-point favorites, a line that had been bet up to 4.5 at the time of writing. Utah closed as 7-point chalk at most shops when the teams met on Wednesday.
Utah News & Notes
Even when the Jazz struggle offensively, they’re still finding ways to blow teams out. Despite shooting just 34.8 percent from the field in the Sportsbook quarter and 38.8 percent in the Sportsbook half, Utah posted its fifth straight double-digit victory by holding the Clippers to 44 percent from the field.
Rudy Gobert was dominant at both ends of the floor Wednesday, scoring 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting while adding 20 rebounds and intimidating the Clippers from attacking the rim. Donovan Mitchell shook off a 1-for-9 shooting start to finish with 24 points and Jordan Clarkson added 18 off the bench in his 24th straight game scoring in double figures.
As if the Jazz need any more help these days, point guard Mike Conley could be close to returning from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for Utah’s last six games. Conley ranks third on the Jazz with 16.5 points per game and leads the team with an average of 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals.
Los Angeles News & Notes
Leonard has missed LA’s last three games with a leg contusion while George has been sidelined for seven due to a bone edema in his foot. The Clippers were also without Nic Batum (concussion) and Luke Kennard (knee) on Wednesday. All four players were listed as questionable on the latest injury report.
All of the Clippers’ injuries may also be taking a toll on LA’s reserves. Coach Ty Lue suggested to reporters that Lou Williams looked “out of gas” after the guard committed a season-high five turnovers Wednesday, part of LA’s 18 turnovers as a team.
Meanwhile, Marcus Morris missed 11 of his 15 field-goal attempts against the Jazz and scored just nine points, snapping a three-game streak in which he’d scored at least 20.
Betting Pick: Clippers +4
The fact that oddsmakers opened this line 3 points shorter than Wednesday’s contest suggests they expect either Leonard or George to suit up in this one.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Utah is 19-1-1 ATS in its last 21 games.
- The OVER is 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last 5 games.
- Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 road games vs Los Angeles.
