Jazz vs. Lakers Prediction
Are the Jazz a safe bet to cover against the Lakers tonight when the two teams clash at 10:30PM ET at Staples Center?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Lakers are 5-point home underdogs versus the Jazz while the over/under currently sits at 204.5 points. Both the side and the total have moved off the original numbers posted by oddsmakers, with the Lakers going from +4.5 to +5 and the total climbing from 200.5 up to 204.5.
The Jazz will be without George Hill tonight as he continues to battle a toe injury. He was a partial participant in Monday’s practice but he’s not ready to return quite yet. Derrick Favors (left knee) remains restricted as well as he continues to work his way back to form. That said, Rodney Hood (illness) said that he’s feeling better and fully expects to play tonight in L.A.
The Lakers are coming off a 111-102 victory over the Clippers on Christmas night, as Luol Deng double-doubled with 13 points and 12 rebounds. He also added two assists, two steals, two blocks and didn’t turn the ball over in 34 minutes of action. Brandon Ingram also came off the bench to add 10 points, six rebounds and one turnover in 28 minutes of play.
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OUR PREDICTION: The Jazz are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games versus the Lakers and have covered in five of their last seven games overall versus Los Angeles. Utah is also 9-3-1 at the betting window in its last 13 games versus Western Conference competition and is 20-7-1 ATS in its last 28 games when playing an opponent with a losing record. On the other side, the Lakers are just 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games playing on one day of rest and are 1-5 against the number in their last six games following a win.
TUESDAY NBA PREDICTION: UTAH JAZZ -5