The Los Angeles Lakers will look for a similar result in their second trip to Salt Lake City Thursday night as they face the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center.
The Lakers (18–7, 3rd West) have won the first two meetings between the teams this season, cruising to a 14-point victory in LA on Nov. 18 before edging Utah by two in Salt Lake on Nov. 23. While the Jazz (10–15, 10th West) have been a punching bag for much of the season, they’ve shown signs of life with five wins in their last eight games.
LA will be shorthanded for Thursday’s contest — with Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Deandre Ayton all sidelined — placing an even heavier workload on superstar guard Luka Doncic.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET. Los Angeles enters as a 9.5-point road favorite, while Utah sits as a +310 underdog. The game’s total is set at 242.5 points.
Ahead of Thursday night’s contest, here’s my favorite Luka Doncic prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Luka Doncic prop bet for Lakers vs. Jazz
Best Bet: Luka Doncic 55+ Points + Rebounds + Assists (-123)
Luka Doncic will attempt to lift the Lakers past the Jazz on Thursday night — something he’s already done twice this season. Against Utah in LA on Nov. 18, the Slovenian superstar erupted for 37 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in a 14-point rout. Five nights later, he poured in 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to secure a narrow victory in downtown Salt Lake.
On the season, Doncic is averaging an NBA-leading 34.7 points, along with 8.8 assists and 8.7 rebounds per game — nearly 53 combined points, rebounds, and assists (PRA). With several contributors sidelined, his usage should rise even further on Thursday night.
Doncic, 26, appears primed to capitalize against a Jazz team that ranks second-to-last in defensive rating, opponent points, and opponent assists per game. With sharpshooter Rui Hachimura and all-time great LeBron James on the wings, expect Doncic to shoulder the offense once again and eclipse 55 PRA for the eighth time this season.
