LA Lakers vs. Utah Jazz, Picks, Prediction and Odds, Sunday, November 23, 2025
LeBron James is back and we have your Lakers vs. Jazz prediction on Sunday. The Lakers (11-4) are off to a great start, while the Utah Jazz (5-10) are struggling. The Lakers beat the Jazz 140-126 on Tuesday, Nov. 18 as a 13-point favorite. These teams will meet from Salt Lake City on Sunday night at 8pmET. Los Angeles is a 9.5-point favorite and the total is 244.5. Check out more free NBA picks and NFL predictions on Sunday at Winners and Whiners.
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Lakers get long break after beating Jazz
Los Angeles has had five days off since beating Utah on Tuesday. LeBron James (back) made his season debut with 11 points and 12 assists, while Luke Doncic scored 37 points and dished out 10 assists. The Lakers shot 60% from the field, shared the ball well with 31 assists, but also committed 17 turnovers, with Doncic accounting for eight.
James, who averaged 24.4 points per game, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season, may have to sacrifice some stats and play fewer minutes this season at 40 with a bad back. He played nearly 30 minutes in the opener, while Doncic played 34 minutes and Austin Reaves had 26 points in 33 minutes. The key for the Lakers now is their bench, which may need another body when it comes to to the trade deadline.
But the Lakers could be contenders not just because Doncic (34.6ppg, 9apg, 8.5rpg) is playing at an MVP-level and Reaves (28.1ppg, 7.6apg) at an All-Star level. But the addition of Deandre Ayton (16.5ppg, 8.8rpg) looks like a genius move because the Lakers have needed a legitimate big man since they moved Anthony Davis. The only issue with Ayton, like Davis, is his durability. He played 40 games last season and 55 the previous year.
Jazz fall to Thunder on Friday
Utah faced OKC on Friday and was thumped 144-112 in NBA Cup Play, thanks to a 33-4 third quarter from the Thunder. Defense was a major problem against an Oklahoma City team that went 23 of 37 from three-point range (62%). The Jazz, going up against the premier defensive team in the league, turned the ball over 28 times and the Thunder scored 44 points off the turnovers.
The Jazz have lost two straight, including Tuesday's loss to the Lakers, with their last win coming last Sunday over Chicago, 150-147. Utah has had some bright spots led by Keyonte George, who averages 22.8 points and 7.1 assists per game on 43.4% shooting (29.6% 3pt). Forward Lauri Markkanen, who may be on the trade block, leads Utah with 29.9 points per game, adding 6.1 rebounds on 48.5% shooting (38.8% 3pt).
Utah's defense has been horrible, but their three-point shooting (33.7%) ranks 25th and is another issue. They rank 29th on DunksandThrees.com in Adjusted Defensive Rating.
Key Injury Report for Jazz:
- PF Georges Niang (foot) is out. Niang has not played yet this season.
- C Walker Kessler (shoulder) is out for the season. Kessler was averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in five games.
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Spread Pick and Prediction for Lakers vs. Jazz
Lakers vs. Jazz Prediction and ATS Pick
- Utah +9.5 (4 units)
The Lakers are the easy pick, but the Jazz are 4-4 at home and covered three of their last five in Salt Lake City. Markkanen and George are All-Star caliber players and Jusuf Nurkic is a physical big man who will crash the boards (9.6rpg). They also get Kyle Filipowski back in the middle, who is a good shooter. Rookie Ace Bailey is starting to come as well, scoring in double figures in six of his last seven games. The Lakers are still trying to figure out how all the pieces fit with James back on the floor.
Over/Under Pick for Lakers vs. Jazz
- Over 244.5 (5 units)
This is the stronger pick because Utah's defense is dreadful, but they can score points and they are ninth in pace in the NBA. The Lakers are 10-5 Over this season, while the Jazz have gone over in five straight games, including that 140-126 loss to the Lakers on November 18. These teams have played three straight overs and six of the last seven meetings.
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