The Utah Jazz are riding a seven-game winning streak into Wednesday’s much-anticipated showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers.
It’s the best active run of form currently, prompting bookmakers to corner this game with the hosts as the 9½-point home chalk at the sportsbook exchange. However, the Clippers have momentum too. They’re riding the wave of a four-game winning streak, and while the NBA odds are stacked against them, they’re likely to fancy their chances for an upset here.
Game: Los Angeles Clippers (16-12) at Utah Jazz (19-7)
Location: Vivant Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City
Day/Time: Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN
Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz
Clippers Eye Another Upset
The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a 111-95 win over the Phoenix Suns, pulling off the upset as the 3½-point home underdogs for NBA betting picks. In winning, the Clippers improved to a 16-12 record overall and a 12-7 record on the road. They also improved to a 6-4 record in their last 10 games.
🔊 SOUND ON
Mic’d up with the rook @bboston_! pic.twitter.com/uVet1dDBFf
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 13, 2021
Forward Marcus Morris led the Clippers with 24 points with 11 rebounds and one assist in Los Angeles’ victory over Phoenix. Guard Reggie Jackson added 19 points, three rebounds and two assists while Luke Kennard added 19 points with nine assists and four rebounds.
The Clippers held the Suns to just 37.5 percent shooting all the while shooting 55.1 percent overall and 42.9 percent on their three-pointers. The Clippers are averaging 106. 2 points per game (19th overall). During their latest four-game winning streak, they’re averaging 108.25 points per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Clippers rank fifth overall with 104.3 points per game allowed. During their four-game winning streak, the average points allowed is 100.
The Clippers managed to beat the Suns while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were out. George has been sideline since Dec. 6 when the Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-90. He is listed as questionable for this game.
Jazz Rolling
The Utah Jazz are the most in-form team going into Wednesday’s showdown. They’re riding a seven-game winning streak and lead the Northwest Division with a 19-7 record, which is also good enough for third place overall in the Western Conference.
Most recently, the Jazz are coming off a 123-98 win over the Washington Wizards in the nation’s capital, covering easily as the seven-point road chalk.
Guard Donovan Mitchell led the team with 28 points and four assists while forward Bojan Bogdanovic added 16 points, four rebounds and one assist. Centre Rudy Gobert put up 20 points and 11 rebounds. He leads the league with an average of 14.6 rebounds.
Overall, the Jazz lead the league with 115.3 points per game scored. They’re also fourth with 104.2 points per game allowed. In essence, they’re playing a balanced game on both sides of the ball.
In addition, they’re first with a field-goal percentage of 48.2 and they are third in three-point shooting at 37.2 percent.
NBA Betting Predictions, Picks
The Jazz might be the bookmakers’ favorite, but they’re not infallible. Utah’s offense is firing at all cylinders and with solid form and momentum going into this game, it’s easy to understand why they might be the bookmakers’ favorite for betting online picks. However, they’re coming off a four-game road trek and that might start to show signs of taking its toll.
The Clippers are enjoying good form too and, importantly, they’re winning games without some of their stars. Beating the Jazz might be a tough ask, but it’s not entirely out of the question. That said, pulling off the cover as the 9½-point road underdogs is probably the better bet worth considering.
Originally, lookahead lines projected the Jazz as the -5 home chalk. On that number, the Jazz might have been the popular bet for NBA free picks. However, now that the line is up to -9½ – and potentially going up further – the Clippers are worth considering for the cover if not the outright upset.
