The Los Angeles Clippers were able to win two at home against the Utah Jazz and we are now all tied up at 2-2 in this series. Now, the Jazz host the Clippers for Game 5 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday, June 16, with this one set to tip-off at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The Clippers are missing star player Kawhi Leonard, but can Los Angeles still steal this one on the road and take control of the series — or at least cover a spread that jumped quickly following news of Leonard's absence? You’ll want to keep reading our Clippers vs. Jazz picks and predictions to find out.
Clippers vs Jazz game info
• Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
• Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Clippers vs Jazz odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonThis is the massive mover of the day, which is what happens when a player the caliber of Kawhi Leonard is deemed out tonight and potentially the rest of the series. TwinSpires opened Utah -2.5 and got to -3 before this morning's news on Leonard's knee injury. "We initially saw Clippers money at +2.5, but since Kawhi’s injury, we reopened at Jazz -7, and it’s been all Jazz money ever since, pushing it to Jazz -8. We’ll need the Clippers to cover tonight," TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said. Utah is taking only 55 percent of tickets, but 78 percent of money on the spread. The total fell to 220.5 from a 223 opener, with 56 percent of tickets/62 percent of cash on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gameClippers vs Jazz series odds
Clippers: +106
Jazz: -124
Clippers vs Jazz betting preview
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard F (Out), Serge Ibaka C (Out).
Jazz: Mike Conley G (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 9-2-1 in Los Angeles’ last 12 games following a straight-up win. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Jazz.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Jazz are still waiting on the return of Mike Conley, and they can really use him at this point. Utah had a lot of success earlier in this series, but Los Angeles has adjusted and found a way to fight back in this series.
The Clippers have decided to go with a small-ball lineup, and that has really flustered the Jazz thus far. Perhaps bringing back one of the league’s best game managers would help Quin Snyder’s group turn things around.
Ty Lue deserves a lot of credit for making the necessary adjustments in this series. The Clippers have a 124.8 offensive rating in the 108 minutes they’ve played without a center against this Jazz team. They’re finding a way to make Rudy Gobert, one of the best defensive bigs in the history of the game, uncomfortable on both ends of the floor.
They’re also finding ways to hunt out Bojan Bodganovic, who has had trouble defending on switches. Now, Lue will be tasked with replacing the production of Kawhi Leonard, who now appears likely to miss the remainder of this series.
Without Leonard, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Clippers go and win this game outright. However, due to Leonard’s load management since arriving in Los Angeles, the Clippers should be used to playing without their superstar.
And while it’s definitely not something they’ll want to be doing, it’s entirely possible that they’ll cover a spread as big as this one. Los Angeles has a ton of irrational confidence players in its rotation, with guys like Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson both capable of randomly getting hot. Also, George should be able (and, frankly, will be needed) to flirt with a 40-point performance in a go-to role.
Everybody in the world will be on the Jazz with the Leonard news that dropped this morning, but that’s more of a reason to back the Clippers.
PREDICTION: Clippers +7.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The Clippers have been unstoppable on offense since going the small-ball route, but it’s going to be hard for them to score 125 points here, especially without Leonard.
Los Angeles certainly has a good opportunity to go out and win Game 5 but it’s unlikely the team will shoot quite as well on the road. The Jazz will also try to slow down the game a bit if the Clippers do start off with some otherworldly shooting, and that should factor into playing the total in this game.
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that Conley likes to take his time in half-court situations. So, if he is out there in this game, his clock-bleeding tendencies won't do you any favors if you decide to bet on a high-scoring game.
PREDICTION: Under 222.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
George scored 31 points in each of the two games at Staples Center, and he also had 27 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field in Game 2 of this series. The fact of the matter is that George has completely shaken off a 4-of-17 shooting game in the series opener and he knows exactly how to get good shots against this Jazz defense right now.
Utah is going to come out with a ton of energy after back-to-back road losses, and this crowd is going to give the Jazz a lot of adrenaline, but George is more than capable of going out and putting the Clippers on his back here, and this total just seems way too low for a player of his caliber.
With Leonard out, it all falls on George’s shoulders, and he knows his team is counting on him.
PREDICTION: Paul George Over 28.5 points (-114)
Clippers vs Jazz betting card
- Clippers +7.5 (-110)
- Under 222.5 (-110)
- Paul George Over 28.5 points (-114)
Picks made on 6/16/2021 at 11:16 a.m. ET
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA Clippers vs. Jazz picks, you could win $58.42 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on the NBA?
You can bet on NBA odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NBA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NBA prop odds. Head over to our best sportsbooks for NBA betting in your area.
