For the second time this season, the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers will face off. The Jazz beat the Clippers in their first game of the season, 129-108, on October 22, but since then, a ton has changed. The Clippers were 6-21 to start the season but are now one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning five consecutive games. Since December 20, the Clippers have been the only undefeated team. The Jazz are 2-4 in their last six contests during that span.
In this matchup, the Clippers are -14.5-point favorites while the game has an over/under of 230.5. points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is my best bet for tonight’s Jazz vs. Clippers game.
Jazz vs. Clippers preview, prediction
During the Clippers’ recent winning streak, they haven’t just been beating teams but doing so impressively. The Clippers have won five straight games by 13-plus points and have allowed under 100 points in their last two contests. A big reason for their recent success has been the elite play of their two best players, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Leonard is averaging 27.8 points per game this season, the most of his career. In December, Leonard averaged 29.8 points with five games of at least 32 points. Harden is also turning back the clocks, scoring 26.1 points per contest, his most since the 2019-20 season. In three of the Clippers’ last four games, Harden has scored 28 or more points.
The Jazz have had an up-and-down season with a 12-20 record. Lauri Markkanen is once again their leading scorer, averaging 27.7 points and seven rebounds per game. Third-year guard Keyonte George is questionable for this contest with an illness, but is in the midst of an incredible season. George has increased his scoring average by nearly eight points, now averaging 24.6 points.
Jazz vs. Clippers, best bet
Four of the Clippers’ last five wins have come by at least 15 points. Until someone shows they can slow down Leonard, it will be hard to beat the Clippers. Leonard is averaging 37.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last five games and has looked unstoppable. Two of the Clippers’ last three wins against the Jazz have come by 15 or more.
Utah has struggled on defense lately, giving up 128-plus points in three of its previous four contests. Although the Jazz have beaten the Clippers handily this season, this is a different version of them this time around. Especially with Utah’s best two players, Markkanen and George, questionable, it will be hard for them to keep up with this streaking Clippers team.
