Jazz Host Clippers in Western Conference Showdown
A Western Conference showdown highlights Monday NBA action when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Utah Jazz. The current line has Utah favored by 7 points with the over/under point total sitting on 206.5.
Entering this game, Los Angeles has an overall record of 33-21 straight up and 27-27 against the spread. On the road, the Clippers are 16-13 SU and 13-16 ATS. Utah on the season has an overall record of 34-21 SU and 24-30-1 ATS. At home, the Jazz are 19-10 SU and 13-15-1 ATS.
Utah has played poorly on defense the past two games, but remains the No. 1 team in the NBA in scoring defense allowing 96 points per game despite allowing 112 on Thursday to Dallas and 112 on Saturday to Boston. Utah lost both games.
Gordon Hayward, the leading scorer for Utah, has scored 30 points or more in 4 of the past 5 games. Utah is currently in fourth place in the Western Conference standings a half game better than the Clippers.
Los Angeles started the season 14-2, but has been hit by injuries and is 19-19 since then, but has won two straight. Los Angeles beat New York, before defeating Charlotte on Saturday 107-102. This will be the last game of a current five-game road trip in which the Clippers are now 2-2.
Star point guard Chris Paul remains out with a thumb injury. The Clippers without Paul are just 6-12, but have won 16 of their past 17 overall against Utah.
Jamal Crawford led the Clippers in scoring in the win against Charlotte. Forward Blake Griffin leads the Clippers in scoring at 21.9 points per game and has averaged 26.7 points in six games played during February.
Utah’s center Rudy Gobert and guard George Hill have picked up their games to help Hayward in scoring as Rodney Hood has missed five straight games with a knee injury.
Hill is averaging 22 points during the past four games, while Gobert has posted a double-double in three straight games.
Clippers guard J.J. Redick is averaging 15.3 points per game but has missed 29 of his past 40 shots from three point territory.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its past 5 games on the road.
Utah is 0-6 ATS in its past 6 games against opponents from the Pacific division.
Prediction: Los Angeles has Utah’s number as evidenced by winning 16 of its past 17 against the Jazz. Lean here toward the Clippers covering.
