Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz 02/24/2021 NBA Betting Odds, Preview and Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers try to snap out of their slump on Wednesday night. But the Lakers will have to do it against the team with the best record in the league and one that has won 14 straight at home in the Utah Jazz.

Los Angeles had dropped three in a row and has lost three of four since Anthony Davis’ injury. Meanwhile, the Jazz are on a roll with 21 wins in their last 23 games played. The Lakers have beaten the Jazz in their last three meetings but the champs will be without AD and Dennis Schroder in this game.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are 22-10 on the season and they are tied with the LA Clippers for the lead in the Pacific Division and the second-best record in the Western Conference. The Lakers have lost their last three games and are 1-4 in their last five games. Los Angeles is without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder once again for this contest.

In their last game, the Lakers blew a big lead and lost in overtime to the Washington Wizards, their first loss to Washington at the Staples Center since March 2017. LeBron James led the Lakers with 31 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds but missed a crucial free throw in regulation and a game-tying three-pointer in OT. Kentavious Caldwell Pope added 21 points while Montrezl Harrell scored a season-high 26 points.

Los Angeles ranks 18th in scoring at 112.2 points per game this season. They are 8th overall in rebounding at 45.2 boards grabbed per contest and are 15th in passing at 24.9 assists per game. The Lakers have the 2nd best scoring defense in the league at 106.2 points per game allowed.

What are the Moneyline Odds?

Lakers

+270

Jazz

-325

Odds from BetOnline as of 02/24/2021

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are 25-6 on the season and they are the owners of the best record in the NBA. The Jazz head to his game having won 21 out of their last 23 games played and have won 14 straight games at their home court. The Jazz are coming off a game where they set the franchise record with 28 three-pointers made against the Hornets last Monday night.

After the Clippers snapped their 9-game winning streak, the Jazz snapped against the Hornets. Donovan Mitchell led Utah with 23 points and 8 assists while Joe Ingles and Georges Niang each made seven three-pointers. Jordan Clarkson also added 20 points off the bench as the Jazz rolled to their 21st win in their last 23 games.

Utah is the 3rd best scoring team in the league at 116.0 points per game. They have the 2nd best rebounding average among NBA teams with 48.2 boards grabbed per contest. The Jazz are just 21st in passing at 23.5 assists per game but have the third-best scoring defense overall at 106.4 points per game allowed.

Who Wins?

The Lakers are 1-4 SU in their last five games played. Los Angeles is 13-3 SU in 16 road games this season, 5-1 SU in their last six games against the Western Conference, and 5-1 SU in their last six games against the Northwest Division. The Jazz are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games played. Utah is 14-2 SU in 16 home games played this campaign, and 9-2 SU in their last 11 games played against Western Conference opponents. Head to head, the Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last five games played against the Jazz.

Utah has the best record in the league and they are the NBA’s hottest team with just one loss in their last 10 games and 14 consecutive wins at home. Utah is coming off a game where they set the franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single game and with the way they are attempting threes, they are going to re-set that record soon.

Los Angeles is still without AD and Schroder and while I want the Lakers to end their losing streak, I think they will have a hard time doing that against a Utah Jazz team that’s clicking from all cylinders. Utah is averaging 120 points per game in their last 10 games played and they have played good defense too. Give me the team that is playing better basketball right now.

Prediction: Utah Jazz

Other Bets To Make

Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in their last five games played. The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road game, 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after an ATS loss, 1-4 ATS in their last five road games against an opponent with a winning home record, and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 100 points in their previous game. Utah is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last five games played at home, 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games as the betting favorite, 5-1 ATS in their last six Wednesday games, and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games when playing on one day rest. Head to head, the Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games played against the Jazz, and 5-1 ATS in their last six games played in Utah.

What are the Spread Odds?

Lakers

+8.5 (-115)

Jazz

-8.5 (-105)

Odds from BetOnline as of 02/24/2021

Even when they are winning, the Lakers are not a good ATS team. Now that they are missing Anthony Davis, they’ve struggled even more. Los Angeles has been a very good road team this season but without AD, they have been a different team. The Lakers are coming off an OT loss to the Thunder and they just don’t seem to be in their element right now. The opposite can be said about the Jazz who are red hot and have been dominating their opponents. I’ll ride the Jazz until proven otherwise.

Prediction: Utah Jazz -8.5

The total has gone over in six out of their last nine games played by the Lakers. Los Angeles has seen the total go under in 16 out of their last 19 games played on the road. The under is 10-2 in the Lakers’ last 12 road games against an opponent with a winning home record, 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an SU loss, and 4-0 in their last four games against an opponent with a winning record of over .600. The under is 16-14-1 in Utah’s 31 games played this season. The Jazz have seen the total go under in 15 out of their last 22 home games against an opponent with a winning road record, 4-0 in their last Wednesday games, and 4-0 in their last four games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game. Head to head, the over is 2-1 in the last three meetings between these two teams.

These are two teams who rank in the Top 3 in scoring defense with the Lakers at 2nd and the Jazz in third. They are also the top 2 teams in adjusted defensive efficiency. Both teams also rank in the bottom half in the league in pace and have combined to score an average of 210.33 points per game in their last three head-to-head meetings. The Lakers have scored fewer than 106 points in three out of their last five games played and are still without AD.

Prediction: Under 220.5

Place Your Bets Now!

Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 04/19/2023 NBA Odds and Prediction New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers 04/17/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees 04/14/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans 04/12/2023 NBA Play-in Tournament Odds and Prediction