La Clippers vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

Los Angeles Aims to Rebound After Recent Defensive Struggles

The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves at a crossroads as they prepare to host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif. Riding a three-game losing streak, their longest of the season, the Clippers must tighten their game if they hope to regain momentum before the playoff race intensifies.

This matchup comes just one week after a trade between the two teams, which saw Los Angeles acquire Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills while sending Mo Bamba and P.J. Tucker to Utah. However, Bamba has since been waived, and Tucker has been traded twice more, leaving little direct impact from the transaction.

While dropping three consecutive games is a concern for the Clippers, the nature of their recent losses is even more troubling. They suffered a crushing 122-97 defeat to the Lakers on Tuesday, where they struggled from the opening tip. On Thursday, they collapsed against the Indiana Pacers, blowing a 22-point second-quarter lead in a 119-112 loss.

Turnovers and Defensive Breakdowns Costing the Clippers

The Clippers have struggled to protect their leads, particularly in decisive stretches of games. Against Indiana, they were outscored 42-19 in the second quarter, surrendering their massive early advantage before halftime. Turnovers were a key issue, as Los Angeles committed eight in that quarter alone, allowing the Pacers to take control.

“Second quarter, turnovers, you know, that kind of killed us,” Clippers center Ivica Zubac admitted. “They were live-ball turnovers that would lead to the layups, and that kind of killed the whole momentum, man.”

Despite the loss, James Harden and Norman Powell each contributed 22 points, while Zubac had a strong night with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard, continuing to work his way back to full form, added 19 points in a season-high 33 minutes.

Head coach Tyronn Lue recognized the lessons from the defeat but remained focused on the bigger picture.

“I didn’t mind tonight’s game,” Lue said. “You’re not gonna win every game, but there are some things that we can learn. Just (take) care of the basketball. We had a big lead and turn the ball over, turn the ball over, turn the ball over.”

The Clippers’ recent struggles at home are another issue to address. After starting 6-0 in their new arena, they have gone just 2-4 in their last six home games. However, they do hold a 2-0 advantage over the Jazz this season, both victories coming in Inglewood.

Jazz Reeling After Overtime Collapse Against Suns

While the Clippers have struggled, the Jazz haven’t fared much better. Utah has gone just 2-2 since snapping an eight-game losing streak, but their most recent outing—a 135-127 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns—was particularly devastating.

The Jazz appeared to have the game won, leading 120-116 with just 4.7 seconds left in regulation. However, back-to-back three-pointers from Grayson Allen stunned Utah and forced overtime, where the Suns quickly took control, scoring the first eight points.

Despite the loss, there were positive performances for Utah. John Collins led the team with 21 points, while Walker Kessler delivered a dominant defensive effort with 19 points and a career-high 22 rebounds.

Utah’s Road Struggles Loom Large

If the Jazz hope to bounce back against the Clippers, they will need to overcome their struggles on the road. Utah has lost seven straight away games, including two defeats in Phoenix. Their 7-20 road record is among the worst in the Western Conference, making it difficult to generate consistency.

Despite the challenges, head coach Will Hardy remains focused on keeping the team’s chemistry strong, especially now that the trade deadline has passed.

“I think the chemistry we have as a group has continued to grow as the year has gone on,” Hardy said. “I know when we got in the plane yesterday, everybody was having that collective sigh of relief that we can just focus on what’s next and move forward.”

Dive into the Latest NBA Western Conference Betting Odds and Detailed Expert Predictions for the Season

A Crucial Battle for Momentum

With both teams struggling, Saturday’s game presents a critical opportunity for a reset. The Clippers are looking to reestablish their defensive intensity and ball control, while the Jazz aim to finally break through on the road.

Los Angeles has had the upper hand in this matchup so far, but with both teams eager to correct recent missteps, expect a competitive battle as they fight for a much-needed win.