The NBA is still buzzing from the Los Angeles Lakers landing superstar Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade last week. However, my Lakers vs Jazz predictions believe that trade and the bottom falling out on another deal has left the Los Angeles frontcourt dangerously thin.
L.A. is susceptible around the paint and on the glass against quality big men, and wouldn’t you know it, Utah has just that in 7-footer Lauri Markkanen.
That’s where my best NBA picks lay on Wednesday, February 12.
Lakers vs Jazz prediction
My best bet
Lauri Markkanen Over 4.5 rebounds (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Trading away Anthony Davis and not being able to fill that gap inside with Mark Williams (trade rescinded) has the Los Angeles Lakers scrambling for any warm body standing around seven feet tall.
While the Lakers make moves to add a capable center, the frontcourt runs very small. Los Angeles plugged 7-footer Jaxson Hayes into the starting lineup in Monday’s 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz and are running short of solid options under the basket.
Lauri Markkanen played just 29 minutes in that blowout loss in L.A. on Monday, finishing with only three rebounds, which stayed Under his closing prop total of 5.5 boards. It was just the second time in the past eight games in which Markkanen failed to surpass his rebounding total.
The versatile big usually logs more than 33 minutes of action and with this home-and-home series swinging back to Salt Lake City, expect a closer contest and more run for Markkanen.
On the season, he pulls down 6.1 rebounds per outing and has pumped that production up to an average of 7.0 so far in February. His player projections for Wednesday all come in at six rebounds or higher, with a ceiling close to eight.
However, his prop market is all over the place. Some books have his rebounding total as high as 5.5 (Over +122) while others are dealing 4.5 (Over -150). At bet365, you can find Over 4.5 priced at -115.
Based on those forecasts and my projection for Markkanen (6.7 rebounds), the Over 4.5 rebound should sit north of -300. The Lakers weren’t a great rebounding team before trading away Davis and are certainly much worse as they wait for frontcourt support to arrive.
Lakers vs Jazz same-game parlay
Lauri Markkanen 5+ rebounds
Lauri Markkanen 15+ points
LeBron James 25+ points
Markkanen is projected for six or more rebounds by NBA player models and fights a thin L.A. frontcourt for those boards.
Markkanen will give the Lakers matchup issues. He’s pegged for almost 20 points and scored 17 points in just 27 minutes on Monday.
As of right now, Luka Doncic is questionable. That means the scoring load lands on LeBron James. He dropped 24 points on 17 FGAs on Monday and will take more shots tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Jazz odds
Lakers vs Jazz live odds
Lakers vs Jazz opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -8 | Utah +8
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -315 | Utah +262
- Over/Under: Over 236 | Under 236
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Jazz spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles opened as a 7.5-point road chalk and jumped to -8.5. The Lakers blasted the Jazz 132-112 at home on Monday, covering as 12-point favorites.
- The Over/Under total opened at 237 points and slimmed a touch to 236.5 O/U. Monday’s game finished Over the closing number of 235 points.
- According to Covers Consensus, 70% of spread picks are laying the points with L.A. while 60% of total picks are taking the Over.
Lakers vs Jazz trend
The Lakers are 9-17-1 ATS as road favorites (34.6%) going back to last season, including a 4-6-1 record as road chalk this year. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Jazz.
How to watch Lakers vs Jazz
| Location | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date | Wednesday, 2-12-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Spectrum Sportsnet, KJZZ |
Lakers vs Jazz latest injuries
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