The Utah Jazz have been the story of the NBA season, but everyone wants to know if they’re for real. Even though the Los Angeles Lakers won’t be at full strength, they’re still the defending champs, and the Jazz will want to prove their worth.
Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers will be 8.5-point underdogs in Utah, making it just the second time all year L.A. is getting points. But is that too many to spot LeBron James?
Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Lakers vs. Jazz on Wednesday, February 24, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz betting preview
Injuries
Lakers: LeBron James SF (Probable), Kyle Kuzma SF (Probable), Markieff Morris RF (Probable), Anthony Davis PF (Out), Dennis Schroder PG (Out).
Jazz: Udoka Azubike C (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Jazz are 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games as a home favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Jazz.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonOddsmakers at PointsBet USA opened the scorching-hot Jazz as 8-point chalk Tuesday evening, and the line spent most of today at -9, where it rests about 30 minutes before tipoff. But the majority of the action is on the road 'dog tonight. "Bettors like L.A., with 67 percent of bets and 62 percent of handle on the Lakers," PointsBet's Wyatt Yearout said. The total bounced around a bit after opening at 220, first moving to 219.5, then rising to 222 overnight and dropping to 217.5 this morning. The number then crept up to 219 before settling tonight at 218.5. "Seventy percent of bets and 80 percent of money on the Over," Yearout said.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
The Jazz saw their latest impressive winning streak come to an end over the weekend, dropping a close game to the Los Angeles Clippers, and all they did was follow up with was a professional dismantling of the Charlotte Hornets the last time out.
The 132-110 win was the Jazz’s 21st in their last 23 games, a stretch that has seen them go 20-3 ATS. That’s thanks to the Jazz being the only team in the NBA to rank in the Top 4 in both offensive and defensive rating this season.
The Jazz aren’t just beating teams, they're destroying them, playing to an average victory margin of 13.6 points over that 23-game stretch. Now, they’ll face a Lakers team that has really struggled without AD.
The Lakers have hung their hats on defense this season, but it hasn’t been enough to make up for the offensive struggles of late. The Lakers have dropped four of their last five games SU/ATS, which includes Monday night’s choke job against the Washington Wizards.
Over the last five games, the Lakers are scoring just 106.6 points per game, rank 23rd in offensive rating, and are shooting just 30.6 percent from 3-point range. That doesn’t bode well against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.
This is a lot of points to spot LeBron James, who has only been an underdog one other time this season and hasn’t been an underdog this big since his first year in L.A. But when you consider current form, it’s hard to fade the Jazz in this spot.
PREDICTION: Jazz -8.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
As mentioned, the Lakers have been so good this season in part to their efforts on defense, leading the NBA in defensive rating. However, Anthony Davis’ loss has been felt at that end of the floor as well. Over the last five games, the Lakers have dropped to 16th in defensive rating, giving up 111.6 points per game.
Now, they’ll have to deal with a Jazz offense that is making sweet music, putting up 120.5 points per game in February, and has proven capable of scoring against strong defensive teams. And while the Jazz’s defense is elite, they've allowed 110 points or more in three of their last four games.
The Lakers' injuries and resulting offensive struggles have caused the total to dip as low as 218.5, but LeBron should be able to do just enough for us to lean towards the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 218.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
Obviously, the Lakers have really missed Davis all over the court, but maybe the place where they have missed them the most has been on the glass. The Lakers rank 26th in rebounding percentage and 18th in opponent rebounds per game, and now have to go against arguably the best rebounding team in the league.
But if you find Rudy Gobert’s rebounding total of 13.5 a little intimidating, we have the prop for you. Royce O’Neale is the Jazz’s second-best rebounder, pulling down 6.9 boards per game, and that number bumps up to 7.8 over his last six. His total for this matchup is 6.5, a number he has gone over five times in that six-game stretch. We like that trend to continue against the Lakers.
PREDICTION: Royce O'Neale Over 6.5 Rebounds (-120)
Lakers vs Jazz betting card
- Jazz -8.5 (-110)
- Over 218.5 (-110)
- Royce O'Neale Over 6.5 Rebounds (-120)
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