NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction, 18th November
NLB Staff
17.11.2024 13:52
Utah Jazz vs Clippers Prediction
As the Utah Jazz have entered this game with one major focus of a getting a lottery pick in mind, they have continued to find rotational for their roster’s future, while Los Angeles continues to be one of the most underrated squads league-wide. With the Jazz having come of a strong 115-113 upset against Dallas two matchups ago, the Clippers have been on a pretty cold stretch after losing against Houston twice in a row. This game will occur on November 18th at 7:30 A.M. IST in Intuit Dome of Los Angeles. Underneath are our top player props, key public trends, head-to-head matchups, and vital injuries in order to create a prediction for this matchup.
Utah Jazz vs Clippers Key Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Moneyline Pick
As the Clippers are -235 on the moneyline during this game, it should definitely be taken. Seeing that this squad has really ben developed with the James Harden and Norman Powell combo, they should have a lot more efficiency over Collin Sexton plus Keyonte George. As their big-man in Ivica Zubac will continue wreaking havoc against the much smaller John Collins, the Jazz won’t have enough with just Lauri Markkanen to win the rebounding battle. Although Derrick Jones Jr. has shown to be worse versus bigger forwards like Markannen on defense, his offense brings a stable 10.0 per game force to this lineup. Looking at this, the Clippers should win their -235 moneyline and 2nd in a row.
2. Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Point Spread Pick
Seeing that the spread in this game is at -5.5, the Los Angeles Clippers are the far better team on both ends of the floor. Having James Harden still play at an elite level, his all-around offensive game has now been combined with his newly added defensive prowess. Knowing that his size will play a key factor along with his playmaking to either create his own shot or find an open teammate, the Clippers point guard should have a huge advantage over Keyonte George. With George not really knowing how to attack the basket with full speed, Harden could cause various stops and give the ball to Norman Powell in order to create more three-point shots. As Powell has really stepped up in his new role this season, his offensive development will be something Collin Sexton won’t have the speed or energy to defend. Even though he is a high-octane offensive player, Sexton will be stopped many times due to Norman Powell’s quick hands and ability to pass the ball down the floor for easy dunks. Having Terrance Mann against Cody Williams will rely be there as two guys fighting for utility minutes, while Ivica Zubac should dominate John Collins underneath. Even though Collins has a great range of shots to support forward Lauri Markannen, his defense has been a bit suspect and Zubac is a lot strong for getting boards in this matchup. Having Markkanen against Derrick Jones Jr. gives the Jazz some hope, but the Clippers should still easily win this game and their spread at -5.5.
3. Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
As the over/under in this game is set at 223.5 points, it should be a favorably scoring game with two offenses that can attack each other pretty well. Seeing that Utah has one of the best scoring power forwards in the league, their center position got upgraded based on offensive value as well. Having a solid point guard with a high volume point guard and one of the best shooting 6th-men, they play a Clippers squad that has an elite backcourt of their own. Led by two terrific scoring options from deep and in the middle, they also have a very solid center who can put up points in a rapid pace. Looking at this and their last game going for 219 points, the total points should end being a bit higher as both teams have steadily improved.
Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Top Player Props
Lauri Markannen over 18.5 points at 1.95: As the Jazz power forward still remains the top offensive threat on this team, he will get a mismatch against Derrick Jones Jr. and should take him to the rim with ease. Seeing that Markannen can also space the floor by knocking down deep threes, Jones Jr. could get lost in defending him helping the Utah star have space for high-quality shots. Someone who is averaging 16.2 points a night, he should definitely hit the over in this game.
Norman Powell over 20.5 points at 1.60: Seeing that the Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard is having a breakout season with great all-around outside scoring, his layup game makes Norman Powell’s offensive arsenal unstoppable. Going up against a less efficient defender in Collin Sexton, this Clippers guard should have a game with very high production. As he averages 23.6 points a night this season, he should continue developing that total by hitting the over in this game.
Utah Jazz vs Clippers Injury News & Impact
Utah Jazz Injuries: Seeing that Walker Kessler is ruled out with a hip injury, this will be key because the Jazz will miss an amazing defensive piece. As Kessler, 10.7 rebounds plus 2.8 blocks, will be replaced by John Collins, the new starter should help with the offensive game even though he can’t really create blocks like Kessler. Although the Jazz also lost Lauri Markannen due to a nose injury, he will return to the next game as that issue was very short-term.
Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: Although this Clippers roster still have Kawhi Leonard out, they have managed to run successful offensive and defensive rotations without him stepping on the court once this season.
Utah Jazz vs Clippers Head-to-Head Trends
A matchup that has been very evenly contested between both squad, the Jazz and Clippers have been 2-2 against each other during their previous 4 games. But, during this game Los Angeles looks like a much stronger squad and should really build on their 118.8 points per game during that stretch. As both teams are 3-3 against the spread during their last 6 games, Los Angeles should take an advantage here as they also try to go for 10 straight game with over 100 points vs Utah.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Seeing the public trends directly, Los Angeles is backed by 69.9% of bettors to beat the Utah Jazz in this matchup.
Utah Jazz vs Clippers Final Prediction
As the Los Angeles Clippers enter this game as the stronger overall roster, it should be a matchup that they should easily dominate. After ending up on the wrong end during their last couple games, this should be a great time for this unit to rebound against a much weaker opponent. Led by James Harden at point guard, his ability to be that all-around player Los Angeles wanted has been the most important part of their success. Being a great passer and scorer till now, his three-point shot has taken a little bit off a falloff but helped him become a better rebounder plus defender. Showing absolute aggression on both ends of the floor this season, he should have a great time finishing and defending Keyonte George. Although George has shown development, the size mismatch will give James Harden all the benefits because the Jazz point guard is continuously be stuck in traps during this matchup. Looking at the shooting guard position, Norman Powell should once again have a great game knocking down threes and finishing around the perimeter. As he goes up against a defender like Collin Sexton who shows less effort and tenactiy at that end, Powell will be able to use his stealing and closing out abilities to slow down the Jazz shooting guard’s offensive prowess.
Knowing this a matchup that Norman Powell could easily win due to have high-octane energy and a size advantage, it leads to matchup with two weaker level players going at it in their small forward postions. Seeing Cody Williams going up against someone like Terrance Mann, it will lead to a lot less scoring and both coaches will expect their players to be impactful rebounds or passers for the most part. With Lauri Markannen being at power forward, this is the one matchup Utah should win due to his all-around scoring ability. With Markannen really showing prowess from long-distance, his wingspan helps him run quickly and dunk over a lot of other defenders. As Derrick Jones Jr. will be on him, the Clippers four has a chance of creating some form of blocks, but will have a tough time continuously being on the Jazz top-scorer due to his smaller frame. Looking at this and saying Markannen should win the rebounding battle, he may be their only chance with Ivica Zubac having a huge advantage against John Collins. Even though Collins has been a consistently good offensive piece that can score from anywhere near the basket, so has Zubac. The one major difference is the Clippers center has managed to be a much more high-volume rebounder and shown an uncharacteristic ability of creating chances for others through screens or passes. Looking at all these advantages for the Clippers, Utah can only win this matchup if bench pieces like Jordan Clarkson and Patty Mills play at career-high levels.
Our prediction: The Los Angeles Clippers win this game and cover their -5.5 spread, while the total score goes over 223.5 points.
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