Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers betting tips and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA game at Vivint Arena. It’s the first of two meetings between the Jazz and Lakers this week as they square off for the 3rd time this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Utah Jazz
Utah thoroughly dominated the Lakers in both meetings earlier this season winning by 14 and 23 points back in November. However, the situation has completely turned around now and Utah is a massive 8-point underdog in tonight’s contest. That’s due to the fact they’re just 1-6 SU in their last 7 games, and with a slim chance of making the postseason there’s a pretty high chance the Jazz might shut down their best players in these remaining 4 games in an attempt to get a higher draft pick in this summer’s draft.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but even with a fully healthy and motivated roster to play they are still the inferior team in my opinion. Western Conference teams have beaten them 7 times in the last 9 games, plus they’re just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games played in April.
LA Lakers
The Lakers haven’t been in this good of a position since January 2022, which was the last time they were above the .500 mark. Only a half game separates them and the 5th and 6th seeded Clippers and Warriors, so there’s enough incentive for them to perform at a high level here. Anthony Davis did just that in their last game as he scored 40 points and grabbed 9 rebounds against the Rockets in a 134-109 victory.
With their next 2 games being against the Clippers and Suns, it’s important for the Lakers to beat the Jazz here to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the top 6. They are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 against Utah, while on the road this team has gone 5-1 SU in their last 6 played. Both LeBron and AD are on the injury report, but they will suit up here considering the magnitude of this game.
The resurrected Lakers are a force right now, not a lot of team can match their defensive effort over the past 20 games and the numbers back it up. Utah doesn’t have much to play for here, so I’ll be taking the Lakers in this one.
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Predictions & Odds
Although the Lakers are the best defensive team in the past month or so in the NBA, I still think we’re going to see a lot of points scored here as the Jazz defense just hasn’t been confidence inspiring at all lately. A total of 9 of their last 12 games have finished on the over, including 4 of their last 5 at Vivint Arena.
The same applies to the Lakers who have finished over in 5 of their last 6 overall and in 4 of 6 vs Northwest Division teams. They also just dropped 121, 123 and 134 points in their last 3 games, increasing their point total in each of those games. With 246 and 249 points scored in the first 2 meetings, this game has the potential for yet another 240+ point outcome, so let’s back the over.
