The Los Angeles Lakers head to Utah on Sunday to take on the Jazz in a Western Conference matchup. The Lakers sit in third place in the Western Conference, just three games behind the top spot. The Jazz are currently in next-to-last place in the Western Conference as they get set to take on Dallas on Saturday night. The opening tap is scheduled for 8:10 pm EST.
For More on the Author:
For your daily picks in Major League Baseball, College Football Picks, the NHL,all the NBA Picks, the WNBA, and all NFL action, check out all my premium picks with at least two per day. My Best Bet of the Week can be as low as $24.99 (usually $50) if you use this link. Take advantage of this as this comes with a profit guarantee. Win or get the money back in credit!
Check out some incredible betting opportunities and sports betting promos.
Read further for the prediction of the Lakers/Jazz game.
Los Angeles playing swimmingly
The Los Angeles Lakers head into Friday night's game at 11-7 and right in the hunt for one of the top spots in the Western Conference. The ageless LeBron James continues to power the Lakers along with All-Star running mate Anthony Davis. The Lakers matched up with the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on Friday night. The Lakers blew an opportunity to get within two games of the Thunder following a 101-93 loss. Stars James and Edwards combined for just 27 points. Rookie Dalton Knecht led the Lakers with 20 points including 6-of-12 from 3-point range.
The Lakers head into this matchup ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring this season. They are seventh in field goal percentage and 14th in 3-point percentage. The Lakers are 20th in the NBA in 3-point field goals made per game. They are fourth in the NBA in fewest turnovers per game and sixth in offensive efficiency. The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in scoring defense. They are 27th in field goal defense and 21st in 3-point defense. They are 16th in forced turnovers per game and rank 25th in defensive efficiency. The Lakers, despite the dual presence of Davis and James, are just 27th in the NBA in total rebounds per game.
Key Injuries: PF Jarred Vanderbilt is out.
Get our top NBA predictions and increase your bankroll!
Jazz trying to play a new tune
The Utah Jazz struggle into December, with a record of just 4-14 heading into their Saturday night matchup with Dallas in Utah. The Jazz have gotten off to a much slower start than last season and look destined to earn a spot in the NBA Lottery this season. On Wednesday night, the Jazz fell to the visiting Nuggets, 122-103. The Jazz were led by guard Collin Sexton's 26 points. Keyonte George put up 23 points including five 3-point field goals while Walker Kessler chipped in with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Jazz played shorthanded without injured starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.
*This article was written before the conclusion of Saturday's Mavs/Jazz game.
The Jazz hope to hit their stride with the return of some of their injured stars. They come into Saturday's contest losers of three of their last four games. They are 23rd in the NBA in scoring this season. The Jazz are 22nd in field goal shooting and 21st in 3-point shooting. The Jazz are also 15th in 3-point field goals made per contest. They are 28th in turnovers per game and 23rd in offensive efficiency. Defensively, the Jazz are 27th in scoring defense this season. They are 25th in field goal defense and 18th in 3-point defense. They are last in the league in defensive efficiency. The Jazz are last in the league in forced turnovers this season. On the glass, the Jazz are 11th in the NBA in total rebounds per game.
Key Injuries: PF Lauri Markkanen, PF John Collins, PG Jordan Clarkson, PF Drew Eubanks, and F Kyle Filipowski are all game-time decisions.
Check out some incredible betting opportunities and sports betting promos.
Craig Trapp - Smoking HOT 8-1 Best Bet Run Last 5 Days - 6 Winners Today - 2 Week Pass Just $99 - CLICK HERE
David Hess - 17-5 NFL Primetime Sides - Grab David's Sunday Night Football Bookie BusterFor Just $30 - CLICK HERE
AAA Sports - 23-7 NFL Run - Grab Their Sunday NFL Earliest Cash for just $50 - CLICK HERE
Marc David - 14-3 NFL Run - Pick Up Marc's Non-Conference NFL Game Of The Month for just $50 - CLICK HERE
Nick Parsons - 14-5 NFL Run - Grab Nick's Sunday Night Football Totals Bloodbath for just $35 - CLICK HERE
Best Bets for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Lakers come into this game fresh after having Saturday off. They are 4-5 on the road this season but have a 1-0 lead over the Jazz in the season series. The rest guarantees that both James and Davis will be available in this game. That should give them a decided advantage against a Utah team that has five players coming into Saturday night's game as game-time decisions. It would be surprising to see them all available on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers also have a significant advantage offensively in this matchup. The Lakers are 10th in scoring offense this season, while the Jazz are just 23rd. The Lakers also have the sixth-most efficient offense in the league, pairing up against the Jazz' defense that is last in the league in defensive efficiency. The Jazz are also just 27th in scoring defense this season. The Lakers are also safe with the ball, ranked fourth in fewest turnovers, while the Jazz are 28th. I expect a short-handed Jazz team to be overwhelmed by the Lakers on Sunday night.
Take the Lakers.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Lakers, as noted above, are 10th in the NBA in scoring. They are 7th in field goal shooting and protect the ball well. The Jazz are 27th in scoring defense and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, so I don't expect a dominant defensive effort out of the Jazz. The Jazz are middle of the pack in 3-point field goals made per game, so they can keep up their end of the scoring bargain by launching threes. I do expect some of the Jazz key players to return in this game, so that should also improve their scoring output. The Lakers will do much of the heavy lifting, but expect the Jazz to do their part.
Take the over.
