The Utah Jazz are merely counting down the days of their 2023-24 NBA regular season before riding into the sunset of an early vacation. But will they pull off a stunning win this Saturday on the road versus the Los Angeles Clippers? Or, will the Clippers avoid such an embarrassment and score another important win?
Catch this game live on Saturday, April 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Utah Jazz (29-47, 9-28 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Keyonte George
- Collin Sexton
- Brice Sensabaugh
- Taylor Hendricks
- Omer Yurtseven
The Jazz have entered the Meaningless Zone, as they have already been eliminated from postseason contention. However, the Jazz surely wouldn’t want to end their season without snapping the current losing skid they are on. Following their 129-113 defeat at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers last Wednesday, the Jazz’s agonizing losing streak has been prolonged to 10 games.
And if they are to end that brutal stretch, the Jazz will have to it without a number of their key players, as Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen are all ruled out for the Clippers game. One thing about the Jazz is that they have a solid recent record on the road against the Clippers. The Jazz are 3-1 straight up and 3-1 against the spread in their last four outings against Los Angeles on the road.
Home: Los Angeles Clippers (48-28, 23-13 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- James Harden
- Terance Mann
- Norman Powell
- Paul George
- Ivica Zubac
The Clippers inched closer to securing a guaranteed spot in the playoffs, as they defeated reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets at home on Friday, 102-100. Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers were able to take care of business against Denver, as Paul George and James Harden combined for 48 points, while Ivica Zubac had 14 points and 15 rebounds. Leonard will not suit up again this Saturday because of a lingering knee issue, but George, Harden, and Russell Westbrook are all going to be in uniform for the Clippers, who have won four of their last five outings.
Beating a banged-up Jazz team that has seemingly lost much of its interest in winning games this late in the regular season shouldn’t be a tough assignment for the Clippers, who have plenty of reason to try and beat Utah. On the season, the Clippers are 12th in the NBA with 115.8 points per game and 10th with 112.5 points allowed per contest.
Picks
Spread: Utah Jazz (+13.5)
Over/Under: Over (223.5)
Gussie Bergstrom