The Clippers have looked like the best team in the Association and Kawhi Leonard looks like the best player on Planet Earth. But Leonard and the 3-1 (2-2 ATS) Clippers face their first real test of the season when they take on the 3-1 (1-3 ATS) Utah Jazz Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.
It will be a classic matchup as the Clippers’ red-hot shooters will face off against the Jazz’s elite defense. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, we break down the best ways to wager this showdown of two of the best in the West.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT UTAH JAZZ (-2, 214.5)
QUICK HITTER
There has been no team stouter in the first quarter than the Jazz in the early going of this season. They are allowing just 20.5 first quarter points through their first four games and at home that number drops to 18.5. With Utah’s scoring deficiencies and the fact it usually takes the Clippers a quarter or so to really get rolling, we like this one to stay Under the first quarter total.
Pick: Under 55.5 First Quarter Total (-120)
FIRST HALF BET
Like we said, the Clippers really tend to take off in the second quarter. They rank second in the NBA in second quarter scoring at 32.8 per contest. That’s thanks in part to them being the best 3-point shooting team in the Association right now. Through four games the Clippers are hitting 40.6 percent of their shots from beyond the arc.
And if there is a part of the Jazz defense that is a bit of a weak spot, it is closing out on the 3-point line, as they rank 13th in opponent 3-point percentage. With that being the case we like the Clippers to head into the break with a slight lead.
Pick: Clippers +0.5 (-105)
TEAM/PLAYER PROP
What more can be said about Kawhi Leonard that hasn’t been said already. He has topped 20 points in all four games, including two 30-point efforts, while quickly becoming a force for his new club, adding a career high 7.5 assists to go along with 6.5 rebounds per game.
Leonard’s points scored total for this one is a half point below his season average of 27, but the only time he went below that number was in the Clippers blow-out win over Golden State where he only had to play 21 minutes. Expect him to log more minutes in what should be a more competitive ball game, and take the Over. It doesn't matter how good the Jazz defense is, the guy is just too good right now.
Pick: Kawhi Leonard Over 26.5 Points (-105)
FULL GAME TOTAL
The Jazz are all about defense and a slow pace. They rank first in defensive efficiency and opponent points per game, allowing just 91.5 per contest. While the offense plays a slow inside-out game run through Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. As a result, they rank 28th in points per game and PACE. While the Clippers numbers on the defensive end could be better, (they rank 20th in opponent ppg) Leonard will be able to make life hard on Mitchell if he want to. We like the Under here.
Pick: Under 214.5
FULL GAME SIDE
So, the Clippers lead the NBA in offensive rating and the Jazz lead in defensive rating. But who has the edge? Well, while the Jazz a have some outstanding defensive numbers, but it has to be noted they’ve faced the Thunder, Lakers, Kings and Suns. Not exactly a murder’s row of offenses. While the Clippers, led by Leonard, are just hot shooting the ball. And maybe the most impressive part of the Clippers start is that these players are still all getting to know one another, while Paul George hasn’t even suited up for them yet.
And on the other side of the ball, the Clippers defensive numbers haven’t been great thus far, but you know they are capable of much more. Expect Leonard to lock down Mitchell in this one as he shows who the best in the West is, and the Clippers earn a hard-fought victory over a quality opponent.
Pick: Clippers +2
