The Los Angeles Clippers invade the Delta Center to do battle with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Clippers Prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs Clippers Pick.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers might still have mixed emotions about their effort last season, as they finished the regular season with 18 wins in their final 21 games to finish with a 50-32 record and the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Only to get bounced out in the first round of the playoffs in a seven-game series against the Nuggets.
James Harden missed only three games and averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. Norman Powell enjoyed a breakout season with averages of 21.8 points per game, Ivica Zubac averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, while Kawhi Leonard missed 35 games and averaged 21.5 points per game. As a team, the Clippers scored 112.9 points per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from the 3-point line.
The Clippers’ management were very busy in the offseason as they moved on from Amir Coffey and Norman Powell but acquired Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul. So, the Clippers look primed to go deep this season despite their age.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz look set for a complete rebuild after winning just 17 games last season to miss the playoffs for the third straight season. Lauri Markkanen led the team with averages of 19.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, John Collins averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Collin Sexton averaged 18.4 points per game.
As a team, the Jazz scored just 111.9 points per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from the 3-point line. The Jazz made plenty of moves in the offseason but none that would inspire hope in their fans as they moved on from Jordan Clarkson, John Collins and Collin Sexton while acquiring Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang and Jusuf Nurkic.
Lauri Markkanen will likely be the leading scorer for the Jazz once again. However, with the Jazz looking to rebuild, I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved him and focused on their younger talent like Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey. They drafted them with the 5th overall pick.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Clippers have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The home team has won seven of the Jazz’s last eight games.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last four games between the Clippers and Jazz.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Jazz have lost 20 of their last 21 games as underdogs.
- The Clippers have won each of their last eight Wednesday games.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last six season openers.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five season openers as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Jazz’s last six home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Clippers’ last three games have gone OVER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Walker Kessler ranked 2nd amongst qualified players for blocks per game (2.4) last season.
- Keyonte George was one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game last season.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Chris Paul recorded 16 games with 5+ assists and zero turnovers last season – most of any player in the league.
- Ivica Zubac recorded the most field goal attempts without a three-point attempt (942) of any player in the league last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz ranked 30th in the league for opponent points per game last season (121.2).
- The Jazz ranked 30th in the league for opponent assists per game last season (29.6).
- The Clippers ranked 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game last season (41.5).
- The Clippers recorded the most wins when trailing after Q1 last season (20).
Jazz vs Clippers Prediction
The Clippers are coming in with a full squad except for the injured Jordan Miller, while the Jazz have already ruled out Isaiah Collier and Georges Niang for their season opener. The Clippers are an old squad clearly geared to compete this season and while it remains to be seen if they can contend, I do like their chances against a rebuilding Jazz team who won just 17 games last season.
I don’t love the double-digit line this early in the season, but it’s hard to imagine anything but an easy win for the Clippers against a Jazz team looking to develop their young talent rather than compile wins. Give me the Clippers to come away with the big win and cover on the road in this spot.