NBA Picks: Clippers vs. Jazz ATS Prediction

Los Angeles Clippers (36-36 SU, 35-36-1 ATS) vs. Utah Jazz (43-26 SU, 29-38-2 ATS)
When: Friday March 18 2022, 09:00 PM (ET)
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: BSSC

Point Spread: LAC +6/UTA -6 (Opened UTA -9.5 Everygame)
Total: 218.5 (Opened at 221)
Money Line: LA Clippers 195/Utah -239
Power Rating: UTA -5

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Clippers PG Reggie Jackson, SG Amir Coffey, SF Nicolas Batum, PF Marcus Morris, C Ivica Zubac
Utah Jazz PG Mike Conley, SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF Juan Hernangomez, PF Royce O’Neale, C Rudy Gobert

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers Paul George: Elbow (OUT) Jason Preston: Foot (OUT) Norman Powell: Foot (OUT) Jay Scrubb: Toe (OUT) Kawhi Leonard: Knee (OUT)

Utah Jazz Udoka Azubuike: Ankle (OUT) Danuel House Jr.: Knee (OUT) Bojan Bogdanovic: Calf (OUT) Donovan Mitchell: Calf (OUT) Trent Forrest: Wrist (QUESTIONABLE)

The Utah Jazz host the Los Angeles Clippers in a Western-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 09:00 PM ET at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Clippers come into this game with an overall record of 36-36, placing them 8th in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, Los Angeles has struggled in their 37 road contests, sitting at 16-21. Over the Clippers’ last five games, they have picked up just 2 wins. In this stretch, Los Angeles’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 108.0 points per game. Combined, the Clippers’ last five opponents are giving up 109.0 points per contest. In this recent cold stretch, the Clippers are allowing an average of 109.0 points per game, similar to their usual rate of 107.7. In the Los Angeles Clippers’ most recent game, the team fell to Toronto by a score of 103-100.

The Utah Jazz come into this game with an overall record of 43-26, placing them 5th in the Western Conference. So far, Utah is above .500 at home, holding a record of 25-11. The Jazz have played well over their last five games, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, Utah is averaging 119.0 points per game, 5.0 points more than their season average of 114.0. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 113.0 points per contest. The Jazz have been picking up victories while holding opponents to an average of 108.0 points per game, similar to their season average of 107.7. In the Utah Jazz’ most recent game, Utah took down Chicago by a score of 125-110.

Individual Player Analysis

As Los Angeles travels to take on the Utah Jazz, the Clippers’ will be relying on Reggie Jackson and Marcus to carry the scoring load as they are averaging 17.1 and 16.2 points apiece. As this duo get set to take on the Jazz, they could be in line for a big game as Utah is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 54.55% of their games. This figure places them 24th among NBA defenses. On the other side, Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz in scoring, averaging 25 points across his 57 games. Throughout the season, Mitchell has outscored his season average in 56.0% of his outings. However, if he hopes to add to this total, Mitchell will need to do so against a Clippers defense that has been tough on their opponent’s top scorers. So far, leading scores have surpassed their season average at a rate of just 30.19%. This figure is good for a rank of 0th in the league.

Matchup Analysis

The Jazz come into this game as the more efficient offensive team, averaging 112.9 points per 100 possessions. When playing as the superior offensive unit, Utah is winning at a rate of 69%. These wins are coming by an average margin of 16.0 points. On the other side, the Clippers hold the advantage on the defensive end of the floor. So far, they have played 26 games as the better defensive team, picking up 14 wins.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz have met up for 1 game. Utah took game one by a score of 124-103.

How the Public is Betting the Clippers vs Jazz

67% are betting the Jazz against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 220.5

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Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Clippers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
• Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
• Jazz are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Jazz are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The Utah Jazz get set to host the Los Angeles Clippers as the heavy favorites at home. I don’t expect the Clippers to put up much of a fight in this game, as throughout the season, Utah has excelled at preventing their opponents from picking up easy points at the free-throw line or getting second-chance points. On the other side, this also happens to be two of LA’s most glaring weaknesses. I recommend taking Utah to cover the spread at home.