The Los Angeles Lakers (16-65) and Utah Jazz (40-41) finish out the regular season when they square off at the Staples Center. The game begins at 10:30 pm ET on Wednesday, Apr. 13 and will air on ESP and TWC.
The Lakers were blown out by the Thunder 112-79 on Monday. Metta World Peace had the best performance for the Lakers, recording 12 points and six rebounds. The Jazz, meanwhile, are coming off a 101-92 loss at the hands of the Mavericks on Monday. Gordon Hayward led the game in scoring with 26 points.
The Lakers might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. The Jazz rank third in the NBA in defensive efficiency, while Los Angeles ranks 29th in offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the defense of the Jazz should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 49.5%), while the offense of the Lakers ranks 30th in effective field goal percentage (45.9%).
The Jazz have emerged victorious in all three games against the Lakers this year, including a decisive 123-75 victory in their last matchup. Rodney Hood was the game’s top overall scorer with 30 points.
The Lakers have gone 16-65 Straight Up (SU) and 36-45 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 16-65 SU and 36-45 ATS against teams from the Western Conference. Los Angeles’s defense has been shutting down opposing offenses over the past 10 games, only allowing an average of 92.1 points per game, well under their season average of 107.0.
In the other locker room, the Jazz have a record of 41-39-1 ATS and 40-41 SU. Most recently, Utah is a meager 3-7 ATS over the last 10 games. The Jazz allow just 95.8 points per game, ranking them second in the league. Utah’s defense is one of the top in the league, with opponents shooting only .445 from the field.
The Jazz’s win over Los Angeles in their last clash brought their SU record in the past 10 games to 7-3. With a 6-4 record, the Jazz also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Uta
Notes
Utah ranks 28th in points per game with 97.7, while Los Angeles ranks 27th in points allowed with an average of 107.0 given up.
Utah puts up an average of 96.8 points per away game (ranked 28th), while Los Angeles allows 103.2 points per home game (ranked 21st).
The Lakers have an even 9-9 record in games where they allow fewer than 100 points. The Jazz don’t do well when they score under 100 points, earning a 19-33 record on the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an underachieving 7-56 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Utah Jazz are 21-8 when they hit triple digits.
The Jazz have a defensive rating of 102.3 (ranked third), while the Lakers have an offensive rating of 99.2 (ranked 29th).
Los Angeles averages 98.0 possessions per game, scoring .992 points on each possession. While Utah averages fewer possessions per game with 93.9, the team scores more points per possession with 1.040.
The Los Angeles Lakers average an effective field goal percentage of 45.9% this season. The Utah Jazz have a subpar record of 17-40 when opponents have an EFF% of 45.9% or greater.
The Los Angeles Lakers average 24.0 three point attempts per game, while the Utah Jazz attempt 23.0 per game. When attempting 25 or more three pointers in a game, Los Angeles is an abysmal 8-33, while Utah is an even 18-18.
Los Angeles has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.38 this season (ranked 27th), while Utah ranks lower at 29th with an A/TO of 1.33.
The Lakers rank 20th in rebounds per game with 42.9, while the Jazz rank 17th with 43.3 per game.
Los Angeles is ranked 24th in defensive rebounds, while Utah ranks 10th in offensive rebounds.
Utah is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 14.2% (ranked third). Los Angeles has a subpar record of 8-27 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 14.2% or greater.
