The Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz play against each other for their respective last games before the NBA All-Star break. The Clippers are undefeated this campaign against Utah, but the Jazz are coming off a confidence-boosting win in La La Land. Will the Clippers crush Utah in these teams’ final meeting this regular season? Or, will the Jazz prevent a series sweep at the hands of the Clippers?
Catch this game live on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Clippers (30-23/11-13Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- James Harden
- Norman Powell
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Ivica Zubac
The Clippers capped their four-game homestand with a 128-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in Inglewood. Before that, they crushed the Jazz in a 130-110 win last Sunday. Seeing the Jazz again for the second time in three games seems like a good sign for the Clippers, as they have been dominating Utah this season.
The Clippers beat Utah by 11 points in the first meeting and by 37 points in the second. Overall, the Clippers are 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread versus the Jazz, so far this season. However, LA will not have the services of Kawhi Leonard this Thursday for maintenance purposes. Even then, the Clippers should have enough depth to rattle the Jazz, whose defense is among the worst in the league. The Jazz are 28th in the NBA with a 118.4 defensive rating.
The Clippers are 18-11-0 against the spread in games after a win this season.
Home: Utah Jazz (13-40/6-18 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Isaiah Collier
- Jordan Clarkson
- John Collins
- Lauri Markkanen
- Walker Kessler
The Luka Doncic-powered Los Angeles Lakers were no match against the Jazz on Thursday, as Utah eked out a 131-119 win over the Purple & Gold, thus snapping a three-game losing skid. Lauri Markkanen was in great form in that contest, dropping 32 points in 32 minutes and shooting 11-for-18 from the field, including six 3-pointers. Jordan Clarkson fired 21 points while Keyonte George came off the bench and scored 20 points with 10 assists.
The Jazz can score but their defense has been a big problem for them this season. The Clippers are outside of the top 20 in the NBA in points per game but against Utah, LA has put up 130.0 – nearly seven points more than what the highest-scoring team in the league today averages.
But don’t still count out the Jazz from at least covering this Thursday, as they have a 7-2-1 ATS record in their last 10 home games versus the Clippers.
Picks
Spread: Utah Jazz (+8.0)
Over/Under: Under (225.5)
