The Utah Jazz (44-33) challenge the Los Angeles Lakers (33-43) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Utah opened as an 11.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Free Prediction
In the Lakers’ last outing, they were defeated by the Sacramento Kings, 84-83. Sacramento’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Los Angeles. The Kings had a rate of 9.2 (better than their season average of 12.5), while the Lakers posted a mark of 14.0. Julius Randle was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Jazz easily got past the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing, 121-97. The Jazz made 18 of their 25 free throws (72.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.678 (above their season average of 0.524). Ricky Rubio was Utah’s leading scorer with 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Los Angeles might struggle to score as they go head-to-head against one of the league’s best defenses. Utah ranks second in defensive efficiency, while the Lakers rank 23rd in offensive efficiency.
Los Angeles holds records of 33-43 straight up (SU) and 39-36-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Lakers’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 44-33 SU and 40-37 ATS. In opposition of Los Angeles, a little over half of Jazz games have finished under the total.
Kyle Kuzma and Randle have played at a high level over the last five games for Los Angeles. Kuzma has averaged 22.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Randle has put up 20.8 points and 10.4 rebounds a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Lakers lost 96-81, unable to cover as 10.5-point underdogs. Jordan Clarkson had 15 points. The game finished with a total of 177 points, which was 25.5 points below the projected point total of 202.5 points. Utah made 13 of their 31 three pointers (41.9 percent). Los Angeles was, meanwhile, 5-22 (22.7 percent).
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 19-19-1 ATS with 22 overs and 17 unders.
Utah is 20-18 ATS at home with 24 unders and 14 overs.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Utah is 31-7 and Los Angeles is 13-5.
When reaching the century mark, the Lakers are 30-28 and the Jazz are 35-12.
Utah ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (41.7) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (48.8).
The Jazz rank second in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Lakers rank 26th (13.4).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.3) while Utah ranks 23rd (10.1).
The Jazz rank second in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while the Lakers rank 23rd (44.7).
Utah ranks fourth in steals per game (8.7) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
The Jazz rank ninth in blocks per game (5.1) while the Lakers rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
Utah ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.2) while Los Angeles ranks 19th (30.1).
The Jazz average 16.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Lakers rank 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.4).
Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (20.0) while Los Angeles ranks 15th (23.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Utah is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 1.4 points.
During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 110.4 points per game (6.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
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