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The Utah Jazz swept the Los Angeles Clippers in their first home stint of the second round despite not having Mike Conley (hamstring) available. The Western Conference’s top team can go up 3:00 with a win on Saturday at the Staples Center. Conley’s status is questionable ahead of Game 3s 8:30 p.m. ET tip, but there are still plenty of interesting lines on DraftKings Sportsbook ahead of the matchup.
Below is a look at a number of predictions ahead of Saturday night’s game for the DraftKings Sportsbook NBA Playoffs pools.
Jazz vs. Clippers, Game 4 pool picks
Which team will cover the spread? Utah +4.5 or Los Angeles -4.5
Both teams are 1-1 against the spread in this series, but Kawhi Leonard’s uncharacteristic mistakes in the fourth quarter of Game 2 prevented the Clippers from stealing a game on the road. Utah’s long-distance shooting has helped it thrive in the postseason, as it's shooting over 40% from beyond the arc in the playoffs. The Jazz haven’t been nearly as efficient in the Staples Center’ though.
Utah shot 38.9% from three during the regular season but shot just 33.8 percent from deep in two matchups against the Clippers on the road and averaged 113 points per game. The Clippers boasted the NBA’s fourth-best field goal percentage (49%) at home and shot a league-best 42.5% from three at home during the regular season. If Conley is ruled out again, Utah could have a tough time keeping up with Los Angeles’s scoring. The Clippers should cover on their own turf.
Total points scored? O/U 223.5
The over hit in Games 1 and 2 despite Paul George shooting 24% from the field. Now the series will go to the Staples Center, where the Clippers have thrived offensively in a way few ball clubs can match. Los Angeles has virtually no chance to come back if it loses Game 3, so expect the home team to put on a show to hold off surefire elimination. Ride the over for a third straight game.
Which team will reach 30 points first? Utah or Los Angeles
The Clippers’ outstanding shooting at the Staples Center has helped them get off to some hot starts. They’ve scored at least 30 first-quarter points in three of the four home games they’ve played so far this postseason and are actually +6 against the Jazz in first quarters through Games 1 and 2. Los Angeles is favored to win the first quarter of Game 3 by three points, so I’ll back them to score 30 first.
Which team will make more 3-pointers? Utah or Los Angeles
Utah has made 10 more threes than Los Angeles in this series and led the NBA in attempts and makes from beyond the arc during the regular season. Expect the Jazz’s volume to remain high in Los Angeles, but home-court advantage should help the Clippers match them. Los Angeles only made one fewer three than Utah in Game 2, so we’re backing the home team.
Who will score more points? Donovan Mitchell or Kawhi Leonard
Mitchell is on a roll and is averaging 32.6 points per game in the playoffs. The Jazz star is has averaged 41 points per game with Conley out of the lineup, and his backcourt partner could be poised to miss a third straight game. Leonard will still have to split a fair amount of work with Paul George on offense, so Mitchell seems like the better pick.
How many 3-pointers will Donovan Mitchell make? O/U 3.5
Mitchell’s shooting from deep has taken a step forward this year. He’s converted his shots from deep at a 38.6% clip during the regular season and hasn’t been shy about letting shots fly. Mitchell has made at least five threes in three straight games and has made 12 of his 27 attempts against the Clippers in the second round. Rolling with the over here is a no-brainer.
How many steals will Kawhi Leonard have? O/U 1.5
Leonard’s defensive efforts haven’t tapered off in the playoffs. He averaged a steal per game during the regular season and has tallied at least a pair in six of the nine playoffs games he’s appeared in this year. Leonard’s recorded multiple steals in three of his four home games this postseason, so we’re on the over.
Which team will win the fourth quarter? Utah or Los Angeles
The Clippers have two players who can hit big shots in the clutch in Leonard and George. That might not seem to be the case all the time, but Los Angeles has ridden its horses down the stretch to win six of the nine fourth quarters it's been a part of this postseason. While Utah dominated the Memphis Grizzlies once Mitchell returned from injury, it was prone to allow comebacks. Los Angeles should put together a complete game and take the final frame.
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