Blake Daniels, November 7, 2022

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The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back at the Utah Jazz who defeated them last Friday. Los Angles hits the road on Monday to Utah at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.

The Lakers are 2-7 SU to start the season and things have not looked good for them at the start of the Darvin Ham era. The Lakers won two in a row against the Pelicans and Nuggets last week but have since lost to the Jazz and Cavaliers. Los Angeles stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are having great starts but the team as a whole has been shooting blanks from deep.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are 8-3 SU to start the season and are second behind the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference team standings. The Jazz beat the Lakers last Friday then went on to stun the Clippers on Saturday, with both games played at Staples Center. The Jazz are currently 4-0 SU in four road games played this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are off to a disappointing 2-7 start and head to Utah after losing their last two games against the Jazz and Cavaliers. Los Angeles ranks only 25th in scoring at 108.5 points per game this season but more than that, the Lakers are shooting only 28.5% from three-point distance.

LeBron James scored 27 points to lead the Lakers while Anthony Davis had 19 points and 12 boards. However, the rest of the Lakers’ starting unit combined for only 18 points. Russell Westbrook had 19 points and 10 assists but committed 7 turnovers while the rest of the Lakers bench combined for only 17 points scored. Los Angeles made only 8 of 27 three-pointers on Sunday.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are meanwhile 5th in the NBA in scoring at 117 points per game this season despite trading their two all-star players Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert plus two starters during the preseason. Lauri Markkanen has blossomed into a new role in Utah and he is leading the Jazz at 22.2 points per game this season.

Last Sunday, Utah made it 2-0 versus the two Los Angeles teams. They blew out the Lakers with red-hot shooting last Friday. On Sunday, Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points while Collin Sexton added 22 as the Jazz stunned the Clippers 110-102. Markkanen had 18 points and 9 boards while Mike Conley added 17 points and 7 rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz 11/7/22 SU Prediction

The Lakers are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Jazz. However, the Jazz have won two out of their last three home games played against the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers SU trends:

• The Lakers are 4-15 SU in their last 19 games played.
• The Lakers are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games played on the road.
• The Lakers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games played against the Western Conference.
• The Lakers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games played against the Northwest Division.

Utah Jazz SU trends:

• The Jazz are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played.
• The Jazz are 4-0 SU in 4 road games played so far this season.
• The Jazz are 8-3 SU in their last 11 November games played.
• The Jazz are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games played against the Pacific Division.

This isn’t the start that fans expected under the Darvin Hame regime. Los Angeles continues to shoot blanks from deep and they have not been able to play consistent basketball. LeBron James is putting up huge numbers but they have been coming in losing efforts. Anthony Davis seems healthy and he too has been playing well as of late.

Russell Westbrook has settled into the 6th Man role and is playing well right now. However, the Lakers just couldn’t seem to get the victory. It’s either they fall big or close out poorly. Either way, they aren’t winning games.

The Jazz have been one of the biggest surprises of the season. They were supposed to be at the bottom of the team standings. But Utah’s rebuild team has played well as a unit and they are playing without pressure. This has led to big games and great shooting nights.

Many are still not convinced with this Jazz team just as many still believe the Lakers can turn their season around. I’m not fully sold on this Utah team yet but neither do I trust the Lakers who just keep on losing games. I’ll pick the Jazz in a close contest as they are the much better three-point shooting team. The only issue I have with Utah is that they will be playing on back-to-back nights. Despite that, I will still put my money into Jazz.

Prediction: Utah Jazz

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz 11/7/22 ATS Prediction

The Lakers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games played against the Jazz. Los Angeles is also 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Utah.

Los Angeles Lakers ATS trends

• The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
• The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
• The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record.
• The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
• The Lakers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home.
• The Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss.
• The Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up loss.
• The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight-up loss of more than 10 points.

Utah Jazz ATS trends:

• The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS win.
• The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Jazz are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• The Jazz are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
• The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
• The Jazz are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 0 days rest.
• The Jazz are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.

Utah dominated the Lakers last Friday night and I’m not sure if the Lakers can do anything to do better here. There is no question that Los Angeles has the more talented lineup but they have not been playing well as a team and neither have they improved their three-point shooting since the start of the season.

The Jazz might not have the marquee players on the Lakers’ side. However, these are players who have nothing to lose and plenty to prove. The Jazz were supposed to be spiraling after trading their All-Star players plus two starters from last season. However, the uncanny combination of young players and proven role players have been impressive so far.

The Lakers are a very good scoring team but unless they can defend their opponents, they aren’t going to win too many games this season. The Jazz are the hungrier and scrappier team between the two. They are still unbeaten at home this season while the Lakers have won just once in their last nine road games.

Prediction: Jazz -1.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz 11/7/22 Over/Under Prediction

The total has gone under in three out of the last four head-to-head meetings between these two teams.

Los Angeles Lakers over/under trends:

• The over is 12-3 in the Lakers’ last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• The over is 10-3 in the Lakers’ last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• The over is 7-3 in the Lakers’ last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• The over is 15-7 in the Lakers’ last 22 road games.
• The under is 5-0 in the Lakers’ last 5 games following a double-digit loss at home.
• The under is 5-1 in the Lakers’ last 6 games following an ATS loss.
• The under is 5-1 in the Lakers’ last 6 games following a straight-up loss.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 games following a straight-up loss of more than 10 points.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 games playing on 0 days’ rest.

Utah Jazz Over/Under trends:

• The under is 6-1 in Utah’s last 7 Monday games.
• The under is 5-1 in Utah’s last 6 home games.
• The under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games following an ATS win.
• The over is 4-1-1 in Utah’s last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• The over is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games versus a team with a winning % below .400.
• The under is 22-7-1 in Utah’s last 30 games following a straight-up win.
• The under is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Last Friday, these teams combined for 246 points and both teams nearly hit 50% of their shots and were near 90% from the foul line. They also shot a combined 28 three-pointers on 66 attempts. No doubt, both teams can score and they have elite scorers on the opposite end.

Looking at the Lakers, they are averaging just 108.5 points per game this season but they are conceding 113.8 points per contest. The Jazz are a high-scoring team at 117.0 points per game and should be able to lure the Lakers into a shootout. Los Angeles may be shooting blanks from deep but otherwise, the offense is very productive. At 229.5 however, the total seems a little too high for both teams.

These teams have averaged a combined 228 in their last three meetings but this includes last week’s 246-point game. In their previous 10 contests, they have combined just 215.5 points per game. Los Angeles is coming off a 100-point performance against the Cavs. The offense isn’t just clicking right now.

Prediction: Under 229.5