The Los Angeles Lakers (10-7) clash with the Utah Jazz (8-10) at the Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018, and will air on NBATV.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 220 points with Los Angeles set as a 2-point favorite.
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers Free Prediction
The Jazz were not able to cover as 9.5-point favorites in their 119-110 loss to the Sacramento Kings in their last contest. The total points for the game (229) were over the O/U total of 222. Sacramento’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Utah. The Kings had a rate of 0.590 (above their season average of 0.535), while the Jazz posted a mark of 0.500. Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer from either team with 35 points on 13-for-23 shooting.
In the Lakers’ last matchup, they were victorious over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109-105, but failed to cover as 9-point favorites. The game’s combined points (214) finished under the projected point total of 222. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ largest strengths. They made 28 trips to the line, 13 more than Cleveland. LeBron James was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field.
After the Jazz won all three contests against the Lakers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, Utah won 112-97. Utah’s 0.584 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Los Angeles, who had a mark of 0.425.
Utah holds records of 8-10 straight up (SU) and 8-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to set the total low when the Jazz are involved, as 66.7 percent of their contests have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 10-7 SU and 6-11 ATS. Unlike Utah, games featuring the Lakers have gone under the projected point total 52.9 percent of the time.
Ricky Rubio has averaged 16 points,3.4 assists,2.4 steals over the last five games for Utah.
Contrasting styles will be on display in this battle. Los Angeles prefers to play quickly (second in possessions per game), while Utah likes to grind-it-out (25th in possessions per game).
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah is 5-6 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Los Angeles is 2-6 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
Los Angeles is 2-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Utah is 3-1.
The Jazz are 6-6 when they reach 100 points, while the Lakers are 10-7.
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (20.9) while Utah ranks 28th (10.4).
The Jazz rank 11th in points in the paint per game (47.8) while the Lakers rank 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.1).
Utah ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (42.6) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd (46.9).
The Lakers average 18.6 points off turnovers per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Jazz rank 25th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.9).
Los Angeles averages 8.4 steals per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Utah ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
The Jazz rank 3 in blocks allowed per game (4.222222222222222) while the Lakers rank 19 (5.647058823529412).
Utah ranks 4 in three pointers allowed per game (28.055555555555557) while Los Angeles ranks 16 (31.647058823529413).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Utah is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 16.0, up from 2.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 114.4 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (3.8 below their season average).
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