The Utah Jazz continue to make sweet music for NBA bettors with their historical ATS run, but beating and covering the spread against the same team is a difficult thing to do. And that’s exactly what the Jazz will be up against when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers for the second time in as many games.
The Jazz overcame a slow first half to topple the Clippers for a 114-96 victory as 6.5-point NBA betting favorites, but Kawhi Leonard and Paul George did not play that game. If they suit up this time around are we brave enough to fade the music?
Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Jazz vs. Clippers on Friday, February 19 with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers betting preview
Injuries
Jazz: Mike Conley PG (Questionable).
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard SF (Questionable), Paul George SF/SG (Questionable), Luke Kennard SG (Questionable), Nicolas Batum F (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Clippers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against teams with a winning percentage above .600. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Clippers.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonThe scorching-hot Utah Jazz opened as 2.5-point road favorites this morning at PointsBet USA, moved to -4 in short order and this evening stretched to -5.5, where the line sits as of 7 p.m. ET. "Bettors continue to ride the Jazz's hot streak against the spread, with Utah taking 80 percent of bets and 85 percent of money wagered." The total is down a point to 224.5, despite the Over taking 77 percent of bets/85 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
So, for those of you living under a rock for the last few months, the Utah Jazz aren’t just making the case that they are the best team in the NBA, winning 20 of their last 21 games, but they are also one of the best bets in recent memory.
The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last eight games and in 19 of their last 21 games overall. And this isn’t some fluky trend. The Jazz aren’t just beating teams and covering spreads, they are doing so with ease—winning games by an average margin of 14 points over this 21-game stretch.
Utah is so successful because the Jazz are the only team in the NBA to rank in the Top 4 in offensive and defensive rating. Now, they play a Clippers team whose top two players are questionable with injuries.
Keep a close eye on the injuries in this matchup, because if Leonard and George are confirmed in (or out), the number will jump. But even if both Clippers’ stars play, it's hard not to like the Jazz at -3.5, considering recent form and the potential rust L.A. will have to deal with.
On top of that, the Jazz upset a fully-healthy Clippers squad 106-100 as a 3.5-point home dog back on Jan. 1. We think the music keeps playing and backing the red-hot Jazz.
PREDICTION: Jazz -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
While the Jazz have been consistently cashing spreads during their incredible run, totals have been a little tougher to peg. Utah is 10-11 O/U in that stretch and while no real trends have emerged, we are leaning towards the Under in this matchup.
First of all, when two fully healthy versions of these squads faced off back in early January, they combined for just 206 points. This isn’t really that surprising considering these are two of the best defenses in the NBA.
The Jazz, rank second in defensive rating and third in scoring defense, while the Clippers rank 12th in defensive rating and fifth in scoring defense. And if one of Leonard or George – or both – cannot play, then the Clippers have problems scoring, as was obvious in Wednesday’s matchup that saw just 210 total points.
PREDICTION: Under 224.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
If Leonard and George do play, that probably won’t help them too much to deal with Rudy Gobert. The two-time defensive player of the year is in a grove right now, averaging 16.8 points and 13.5 rebounds over his last eight games. He also dominated the Clippers’ bigs inside last game, putting up 23 points on 8-12 shooting, while grabbing 20 boards...which makes Gobert’s points + rebounds prop stand out.
At 27.5, that’s a number he has gone over five times in that eight-game stretch. We like him to make it six-of-nine.
PREDICTION: Rudy Gobert Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds (-125)
Jazz vs Clippers betting card
- Jazz -3.5 (-110)
- Under 225 (-110)
- Rudy Gobert Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds (-125)
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