La Clippers vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions December 16th 2024

Harden’s Perimeter Prowess Anchors Clippers’ Offense

One month after surpassing Ray Allen to claim second place on the NBA’s all-time 3-point shooting list, James Harden continues to prove his worth from beyond the arc. When the Los Angeles Clippers (14-12) host the Utah Jazz (8-16) on Monday night, Harden’s perimeter shooting will once again be a focal point.

Since making history in a mid-November matchup against the Jazz, Harden has been on a tear from deep, shooting 37.2 percent from 3-point range over his past 11 games. His season average of 33.8 percent is slowly creeping toward his career mark of 36.3 percent. With Kawhi Leonard still sidelined due to a knee injury, Harden’s role as the offensive catalyst has expanded.

Harden leads the Clippers with 21.4 points per game, while Norman Powell has emerged as a scoring force, averaging 23.2 points during Leonard’s absence. Despite their efforts, the Clippers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, including a 120-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

Leonard’s Return Looms as Clippers Seek Offensive Boost

Kawhi Leonard has returned to practice but remains unavailable for Monday’s game. His eventual return is expected to alleviate pressure on Harden and Powell, unlocking more dimensions in the Clippers’ offense.

“It’s fun and it’s a respect thing with the (defensive) attention, but with Kawhi coming back … it’s another level of our offense we can’t wait to unlock,” Powell said.

Jazz Defense Struggles Amid Recent Slump

The Utah Jazz enter Monday’s game having lost three of their past four, primarily due to defensive lapses. Over those three losses, Utah allowed a staggering 136.0 points per game.

During Friday’s 134-126 home loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Jazz showcased their offensive firepower, shooting 55.8 percent from the floor and 56.4 percent from 3-point range. However, they were undone by defensive miscues and turnovers.

“With how our offense was going, I thought a couple of stops were going to be enough to win, but they made us pay for our mistakes,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said.

Despite Jordan Clarkson’s return from a seven-game absence, and strong performances from John Collins (22 points) and Lauri Markkanen (19 points), Utah’s inability to secure defensive stops remains a concern. The Jazz are 28th in the league in points allowed, giving up 119.3 points per game.

Clippers vs. Jazz: Key Matchups

James Harden vs. Utah’s Perimeter Defense

Harden’s recent uptick in 3-point accuracy will be critical against a Jazz defense that has struggled to defend the arc. Utah allowed Phoenix to shoot nearly 49 percent from deep in their last game, a weakness Harden and the Clippers will aim to exploit.

Rebounding Battle

Both teams rank in the top five in rebounds allowed, with the Jazz third (41.5) and the Clippers just behind at 41.8. Controlling the boards could dictate the pace of the game, especially given Utah’s struggles in transition defense.

Norman Powell vs. Lauri Markkanen

Powell has been the Clippers’ go-to scorer in Leonard’s absence, while Markkanen remains Utah’s most consistent offensive threat. The clash between these versatile forwards could shape the outcome of Monday’s matchup.

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Prediction: Clippers 115, Jazz 104

The Clippers’ defensive discipline and Harden’s sharpshooting give them a significant edge against a Jazz team struggling to contain opposing offenses. Expect Los Angeles to bounce back from their recent skid while handing Utah another frustrating loss on the road.