Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz Betting Pick & Prediction 12/1/24
At 8:00 ET, the Lakers (-314) will be in Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz (+255). The Lakers are favored by 7.5 and the over/under is set at 229. SN-LA will have TV coverage for this Western Conference matchup.
Los Angeles (11-8) is 8th in the Western Conference and 3rd in the Pacific Division. Utah (4-15) is 14th in the West and 5th in the Northwest. The Jazz have lost three straight.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS UTAH JAZZ BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Jazz +7.5
This game will be played at Delta Center at 8:00 ET on Sunday, December 1st.
WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 122-115 in favor of the Lakers.
- Our projections have Anthony Davis finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists.
- From the field, we have the Lakers finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.4% and knocking down 13 threes.
Will the Lakers Make it Happen in Salt Lake City?
The Lakers fell to 11-8 on the season after a 101-93 loss to the Thunder on Friday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as +3 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 194 points was well below the O/U line of 229.5.
After trailing 32-24 after the 1st quarter, the Lakers tightened up defensively, winning the 2nd quarter 24-19 and the 3rd 21-20. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going in the 4th, where they were outscored 30-24.
In their 101-93 loss to the Thunder, the Lakers struggled offensively, shooting 28.9% from three-point range and connecting on just 11 threes overall. Their field goal percentage was 45.2%, and they finished with 93 points.
Dalton Knecht led the way with 20 points, hitting 6 threes at a 46.2% rate. D’Angelo Russell added 17 points, making 4 threes, while Anthony Davis contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Lakers couldn’t hold off the Thunder, allowing 101 points in the loss. They gave up 32 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 19 and 20 points, respectively. However, a 30-point 4th quarter from the Thunder sealed the Lakers’ fate.
Overall, the Lakers held the Thunder to 40% shooting, including 32% from beyond the arc, where Oklahoma City hit 13 threes. The Thunder also went 12/16 from the free-throw line. The Lakers gave up 15 offensive rebounds while recording 4 steals and 6 blocks.
Will Utah Come Through as Home Underdogs?
The Jazz fell to 4-15 on the season after a 106-94 loss to the Mavericks on Saturday. Utah, who were +6 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread at home. The total score of 200 points fell well short of the O/U line of 230.
Dallas took control with a 13-0 run, turning a 30-20 deficit into a 33-30 lead. Utah responded by outscoring the Mavericks 27-16 in the 2nd quarter but couldn’t complete the comeback, as they entered the 4th quarter down 86-76 and were outscored 20-18 in the final period.
The Jazz struggled offensively in their loss to the Mavericks, managing just 94 points on 35.8% shooting from the field. They hit only 9 threes, shooting 23.1% from beyond the arc.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 19 points, despite shooting 35% and making just 2 threes at 18.2%. Walker Kessler added 18 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 77.8% from the field.
Despite a rough start defensively, giving up 40 points in the 1st quarter, the Jazz tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 16 points. They also held the Mavericks to 20 points in the 4th but ultimately gave up 106 points in the loss. Utah allowed Dallas to shoot 45% from the field.
The Jazz struggled to contain the Mavericks from deep, allowing 15 threes on 38% shooting. They sent Dallas to the line 15 times, where the Mavericks made 9 free throws. Utah finished with 34 defensive rebounds, gave up 12 offensive boards, and recorded 10 steals and 7 blocks.