What has gotten into these Utah Jazz? They’re on a season-high four-game win streak as they host the Los Angeles Lakers this Saturday. Utah actually leapfrogged the Lakers on Friday night for the 10th and final play-in spot in the West with a win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers, meanwhile, got smoked by the Phoenix Suns at home last time out. And yet, despite having dropped 10 of their last 14, they’re slight 2-point favorites in the NBA odds.
Can L.A. catch Utah on the second night of a back-to-back? Check out my Lakers vs Jazz preview for Saturday, January 13, complete with free NBA picks and a best bet.
Lakers vs Jazz odds
Lakers vs Jazz predictions
The Utah Jazz have hit the nitrous button.
A team that’s 16th in scoring, potting 115.3 points per game, just blasted the Toronto Raptors 145-113. Utah shot 55.9% from the field and a blistering 21-for-43 from 3-point range, an absurd 48.8% clip.
While it’s tough to call the Raps a formidable foe, the Jazz have stared down some of the league’s best in their four-game fun run. They’ve put up an average of 125.3 points in previous wins over the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers may not have had Joel Embiid, and the Bucks were missing Dame Lillard, but there might not be a more impressive win streak in the league this season.
Utah is a sparkling 9-2 in their last 11, including a perfect 4-0 at home, where they’re putting up 130.5 points per game with a plus-16 point differential.
That doesn’t sound like a welcoming place for the Los Angeles Lakers, who already sport the third-worst road record in the West at 6-13.
L.A. was crushed 127-109 against the Suns last game, putting an end to their modest two-game winning streak. The Lakers narrowly outshot Phoenix, 50% to 49.5%, but the Suns put up 13 more field goal attempts thanks to grabbing 13 offensive boards and L.A. turning it over 18 times.
In this funk since December 15, the Lakers have gone 1-5 on the road and are scoring 113 points per game. Their defense is hemorrhaging, giving up 121.3 points per game, with teams shooting 50.4% from the field and 40.3% from distance.
While Utah is healthy all around, there are no fewer than six Lakers regulars on the injured list. Anthony Davis (ankle) is probable, as are Rui Hachimura (calf) and Christian Wood (migraine), while LeBron James (ankle), Cam Reddish (knee) and D’Angelo Russell (knee) are all questionable.
Inconsistent lineups have led to L.A.’s offensive woes, and a 23rd-place ranking in offensive rating. Couple that with Utah playing on consecutive nights, and that total is looking awfully high.
My best bet: Under 238.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Lakers vs Jazz same-game parlay
Under 238
Jazz HT/FT
The formula for the Jazz has been simple during this four-game win streak: get out early and put it on cruise control. Utah has finished with the lead in the first quarter in all four games and carried that into halftime en route to blowout wins.
The Lakers have been trailing at the half in three of their last four games, but they’re notoriously slow starters. They’ve been able to go 2-2 over this stretch. On the road, a halftime deficit is death for them. In their last six such games, they have trailed at the half in five and lost all.
I expect to see much of the same Saturday night.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Jazz spread and Over/Under analysis
You could find the Jazz as long as 2.5-point favorites at a few books on Friday afternoon but that’s shifted entirely, as Utah is mostly found as a 2.5-point underdog now.
The Jazz are a Top-5 bet against the spread this season, owning a sparkling 23-16-1 record, though they are just 3-3-1 ATS playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
L.A. hasn’t capitalized on a rest advantage this season, as they are an NBA-worst 2-5-0 ATS. On the year, the Lakers are 16-23-0 ATS.
As for the total, this line can still be had for as high as 239 points but there’s plenty of variance, with some sites going as low as 236.5 points.
Both teams are hovering around .500 with their total records. The Over is 20-19-0 in Lakers games, while going 20-18-1 in Jazz contests.
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Lakers vs Jazz betting trend to know
Utah has covered the spread in five of the last six meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Jazz.
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Lakers vs Jazz game info
| Location: | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date: | Saturday, January 13, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | KJZZ, Spectrum |
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