L.a. Clippers vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions November 17th 2024

At 9:00 ET, the Clippers (-506) will host the Jazz (+382) in a Western Conference matchup. The Clippers are favored by 10 points over the Jazz, and the over/under line is set at 221.

Utah is 3-9 on the season and 15th in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are 6-7 and 11th in the West. Los Angeles has lost three straight games heading into this one.

Jazz vs. Clippers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers
• Where: Inglewood at Intuit Dome
• Date: Sunday, November 17th
• Betting Odds LAC -10, UTA +382 | LAC -506 O/U 221

The Jazz Can Win If…

Utah fell to 3-9 this season after a 121-117 road loss to the Kings on Saturday. The Jazz entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs but managed to keep it close, covering the spread. The total points for the game ended at 238, going over the pre-game line of 228.5.

Utah went on an 11-0 run, extending their lead from 62-52 to 73-52. However, after leading 94-90 going into the 4th quarter, the Jazz were outscored 31-23 in the final period.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 25 points and 5 rebounds, shooting 75% from the field and hitting 4 threes at 66.7% in their 121-117 loss to the Kings. Keyonte George added 19 points, and Collin Sexton contributed 18 points, making 4 threes at 57.1%.

Utah shot 49.3% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc, making 12 threes. Markkanen scored 7 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, while George added 8 points in the 1st and 7 more in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Jazz struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up 35 and 31 points, respectively, in their 121-117 loss to the Kings. Utah allowed Sacramento to shoot 50% from the field.

The Jazz had trouble defending the perimeter, as the Kings hit 19 threes at a 46% clip. Utah sent Sacramento to the line 25 times, where they made 18 free throws. The Jazz finished with 11 steals and 3 blocks.

• Through their last ten road games, Utah has an ATS record of just 7-3. However, their overall record was 3-7 while averaging 110 points per game.
• Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Jazz have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
• Over their last five games, the Jazz have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Clippers Can Win If…

After a 125-104 loss to the Rockets on Friday, the Clippers are now 6-7 this season. They were +4.5 point underdogs going into the game, but couldn’t cover the spread. The total score of 229 points exceeded the O/U line of 214.5 by 14.5 points.

Houston took control with a 14-0 run, stretching the score from 33-30 to 47-30. The Clippers were down 94-75 heading into the 4th quarter, and despite scoring 29 points in the final period, they couldn’t close the gap.

In their 125-104 loss to the Rockets, the Clippers struggled offensively, shooting just 37.8% from the field and hitting only 10 threes at a 25% clip. James Harden led the way with 21 points, adding 10 in the 3rd quarter, while Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 15 points, 9 of which came in the 3rd.

Kris Dunn added 13 points, with 9 in the 2nd quarter, and Jordan Miller scored all 11 of his points in the 4th. Harden and Porter both connected on 3 threes, with Porter shooting 60% from deep.

The Clippers struggled defensively against the Rockets, giving up 125 points on 48% shooting. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 37 points. Los Angeles also gave up 31 points in the 4th quarter.

From beyond the arc, the Rockets hit 19 threes at a 43% clip. The Clippers sent Houston to the line 18 times, where they made 14 free throws. Defensively, the Clippers recorded 6 steals and 6 blocks.

• Los Angeles has a 2-3 record in their last five home games. In this stretch, they averaged 110 points per game while allowing 114. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• The Clippers have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Clippers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +10, we have the Jazz as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 221, and our model projects the Jazz and Clippers to reach a combined total of 238 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Clippers Seek Redemption at Home Against Resurgent Jazz

The Los Angeles Clippers, reeling from a three-game losing streak, will look to rediscover their form as they host the Utah Jazz in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday. After a disheartening road trip, including back-to-back losses to the Houston Rockets, the Clippers hope their home court provides a much-needed boost.

The Jazz, on the other hand, aim to continue climbing out of a rough start to the season. They’ve gone 3-3 in their last six games and will look to secure a statement win on the road after a narrow loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

Clippers: Desperate for a Spark

The Clippers’ recent road trip exposed vulnerabilities in their game plan. Norman Powell, the team’s leading scorer at 23.6 points per game, was held to a season-low eight points in Friday’s 125-104 loss to the Rockets. Across two games in Houston, Powell shot just 27.6% from the floor, signaling the team’s struggles when their top options are stymied.

While James Harden tied Ray Allen for second on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers list with 2,973, his two assists in Friday’s game marked a season low. Harden, who averages 8.3 assists per game, acknowledged the need for adjustments after Houston effectively disrupted the Clippers’ rhythm.

“We’ll get back to the lab and figure out how to beat that adjustment,” Harden said, emphasizing the urgency to counter defensive strategies similar to Houston’s.

Without Kawhi Leonard, sidelined this season with a knee injury, the Clippers face mounting pressure to innovate offensively. Coach Tyronn Lue and his staff will look to restore confidence and cohesion as they aim to avoid falling further in the Western Conference standings.

Jazz: Progress Amid Challenges

After starting the season with six consecutive losses, the Jazz are beginning to find their footing. Despite a 121-117 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, Utah has shown flashes of promise.

Lauri Markkanen, back from a three-game absence due to a back injury, has been steady, averaging 18.8 points in his last four games. John Collins, who recently moved into the starting lineup, has shined, averaging 24.3 points over his past three starts.

Head coach Will Hardy praised Collins’ impact:

“John has done a really good job of using his physicality. He’s attacked the switch really well and found rhythm shots.”

The Jazz also saw solid contributions from Keyonte George (19 points) and Collin Sexton (18 points) in their loss to Sacramento. However, they faltered late, managing just one free throw in the final two minutes despite leading 116-113 with 1:54 remaining.

Jordan Clarkson, working his way back to full strength after a foot injury, added 17 points off the bench. With Taylor Hendricks out for the season, Utah will lean on its current rotation to secure more consistency.

Key Matchups

James Harden vs. Jazz Defense

Harden’s playmaking will be critical for the Clippers to regain offensive efficiency. The Jazz must focus on limiting his distribution while contesting his outside shots.

Lauri Markkanen vs. Clippers’ Defense

Markkanen’s scoring versatility poses a significant challenge. His ability to shoot from range and attack the rim makes him the focal point of Utah’s offense.

John Collins’ Physicality

Collins’ recent surge in scoring will test the Clippers’ interior defense. His ability to exploit mismatches could swing momentum in favor of the Jazz.

Prediction

Both teams enter Sunday’s matchup hungry for a win, but the Clippers’ desperation to reverse their slide, combined with home-court advantage, could tip the scales. Expect a close battle as the Jazz continue to gel and the Clippers adjust their strategies.

Prediction: Clippers 113, Jazz 109