The impending NBA All-Star break represents different things to different teams. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the annual hiatus is a chance to rest up and refocus after a dismal start to the season. For the Utah Jazz, however, the break could be a speed bump as the team is one of the hottest in the Western Conference.
These contrasting clubs clash Wednesday inside Crypto.com Arena, with L.A. getting 5.5 points on its home court and dragging a three-game losing skid into this matchup with the Jazz, who have won six straight.
Here are free NBA betting picks and predictions for Jazz at Lakers on February 16.
Jazz vs Lakers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Los Angeles opened as low as +4.5 but has jumped up to +5.5 as of Wednesday morning. The total hit the board at 227 points and bounced between that opener and 227.5 before dropping to as low as 226.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Jazz vs Lakers predictions
- Prediction: Jazz -5.5 (-110)
- Prediction: Under 227 (-110)
- Best bet: Mitchell Over 5.5 assists (-110)
Predictions made on 2/16/2022 at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Jazz vs Lakers game info
• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Jazz vs Lakers betting preview
Key injuries
Jazz: Rudy Gay F (Out).
Lakers: LeBron James F (Questionable), Anthony Davis F (Probable), Carmelo Anthony F (Out), Avery Bradley G (Out), Kendrick Nunn G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 9-1 in the Jazz’s last 10 games as favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Lakers.
Jazz vs Lakers picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
This is Los Angeles’ final game before the All-Star break and it comes on the heels of an extended respite from action, having last played on February 12. The Lakers — at 26-31 SU — have a tough decision to make: back into the break and rest LeBron James or give it one last go to set the tone for the second half of the schedule.
James is currently listed as questionable with a lingering knee injury and should he skip tonight’s matchup with Utah, that would give the 37-year-old a full week of downtime before participating in the All-Star Game on Sunday (in his hometown of Cleveland), which could mean more personally than anything else James does this season. On the back end of the ASG, he would have another four full days off before L.A.’s next game.
The Lakers feel like a lost cause at this point, boasting just two wins in their past nine games (one coming in OT). Los Angeles put up a good fight last time out, losing to Golden State by just two points — a game that felt like a last-gasp effort from a broken team with a lot of pride.
Defensive shortcomings are one of the biggest issues with this Lakers team, most notably during their current three-game slide. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in advanced defensive rating, allowing its last three foes to post an effective field goal rate of 58.7%.
Utah is the model of efficiency on both sides of the ball. During the Jazz’s six-game winning run, they’re boasting the No. 2 spot in offensive rating and the No. 3 spot in defensive rating, which has trickled down to an average margin of +18.5 points in those contests and a 5-1 mark against the spread.
The Lakers did beat Utah at home on January 17, edging the Jazz 101-95 as similar 5.5-point home dogs. But given the state of this team, the deflating inactivity at the trade deadline, and an extended hiatus away from a losing locker room in the wings, the -5.5 with Utah seems like a steal — especially if LeBron does sit out to rest his aching knee in prep for an ASG performance.
Prediction: Jazz -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The January 17 matchup between these teams pumped out only 196 points and stayed well Under the 230-point total. Bookmakers have this rematch pegged with a 227-point total Wednesday night.
Both sides depend on points in the paint for the bulk of their production, sitting ninth and 10th in PITP on the season. The Lakers attack is driven in transition and the Jazz do struggle to slow down those up-tempo attacks, allowing a 52.6% scoring frequency to transition offenses. However, if James is out, L.A.’s pace loses a gear.
Should he sit, the offensive focus slides to Anthony Davis and a post-up offense with spot-up shooting — or it should if Russell Westbrook doesn’t ty too hard. Davis is nursing a wrist injury but is listed as probable, which helps Los Angeles on both ends.
With Davis on defense, the Lakers' perimeter players can cheat up more knowing a shot blocker is protecting the paint. Los Angeles is allowing 33.6% shooting from distance since Davis returned from injury on January 25, limiting foes to nearly three fewer 3-point attempts per game.
Utah tops the league in 3-point makes, knocking down 14.7 triples on 40.3 attempts from distance per outing. The Jazz were just 12 for 46 from beyond the arc in the last meeting with the Lakers and will find themselves with less clean looks from long range tonight.
This total is a tricky one because of James’ status, so if you want to wait and see what shakes out closer to tipoff, try to get that news and bet accordingly. However, for the sake of making a lean here on Wednesday morning, I’m going Under.
Prediction: Under 227 (-110)
Best bet
Donovan Mitchell can erupt for 30-plus in any game but with the Lakers playing tighter checks on the Jazz’s perimeter threats, the electric shooting guard may not find the space he likes to hit those 3-point looks. With that in mind, we like Mitchell to be more of a creator Wednesday.
Last time out against the Lakers, he went 0 for 8 from beyond the arc and finished with only 13 points but dished out seven assists.
The Jazz’s superstar guard is averaging just over five assists on the season but has posted assist totals of six or more in five of the Jazz’s last six wins. With Utah blowing most opponents out of the water during this streak, Mitchell is spreading the love, averaging 6.5 assists in that span.
Los Angeles ranks 24th in assists per field goal allowed and Utah’s ball movement has been far improved during its recent outings, watching assists averages jump from 22 per game to 25.8 in the last six, and 27.3 in the past three contests.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 5.5 assists (-110)
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