In the NBA’s late game on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz will meet (9:40 PM ET/6:40 PM PT). The Jazz, who played and won a game on Friday, are underdogs in the game at +2.0 (bet365). Utah has been on a tear of late and you have to wonder when they will slow down. But it probably won’t be in a home game against a reeling LA team that has been off-form for a month and a bit now. My Lakers vs Jazz prediction is that the Jazz will win this game.
NBA Matchup: Lakers vs Jazz
Away: Los Angeles Lakers
Home: Utah Jazz
Game time: Saturday, January 13th, 2024 @ 9:40 PM ET
Lakers vs Jazz odds (home team’s spread): +2.0 (bet365)
Los Angeles vs Utah Prediction: Latest NBA News
The LA Lakers last played on Thursday, a game that they lost to the Phoenix Suns 127-109. This was a game that LA hosted and it came after the team managed back-to-back wins. In general, the Lakers have been slumping. They have had quite a few double-digit losses recently and you have to wonder what changes are coming soon. D’Angelo Russell is one player whose name has started to appear in NBA trade rumors.
Los Angeles Lakers injuries: recent news
Russell is among a quartet of players that have something noted in the team’s depth chart for injuries with ESPN. Khobi Price of the Orange County Register claimed that Russell has a knee injury that makes him questionable for the game. LeBron James and Cam Reddish are also listed as questionable for the game while Anthony Davis is probable. Bettors should assume that James and Davis are both playing.
However, LeBron James is coming off of his season-low for points as he had just 10 in the game against Phoenix. I don’t think bettors backing LA will want to do so without seeing James upgraded to “probable” or “active” first.
Double-check for playing status updates with Los Angeles (03:40 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
The Utah Jazz are now a .500 basketball team. They claimed a win over Toronto on Friday night to improve to 20-20 overall. This is an accomplishment as the mid-season games approach. Not long ago, Utah looked like a major afterthought to make the playoffs. Now, they are among the ranks of the teams that could be contenders for the lower seeds.
Utah Jazz: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 7 – 16 heading into December 13th, 2023
Currently: 20 – 20 (overall)
Recent form: 13 – 4 since December 13th, 2023
Recent winning rate: .765
Utah won their game on Friday 145-113. They were -2.5 in the game and covered that with 29 points to spare. I did tip them with Alternative Spread options at -17.5, meaning they hit that bet at +500.
The Jazz managed their minutes beautifully in the game. All starters were under 30 minutes for minutes played with a couple not even getting out of the teens. Despite playing on back-to-back nights, Utah should be very energetic on Saturday against the Lakers. They played 14 of their 15 players on Friday to spread the workload around so well that you can hope that they stay in full health for the time being.
Utah Jazz injuries: recent news
As of very early on Saturday, the Jazz did not have any injuries noted in their depth chart at ESPN. If someone did take an injury in the game against Toronto, then you would expect it to be news on Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon. You could check Utah before backing them. It’s not unusual for a team that played late one night to have some injury news the next day. At first glance at Utah and their minutes for their best players on Friday, you wouldn’t think that they would be in rough shape on Saturday.
Double-check status updates Utah (03:40 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
Lakers vs Jazz Prediction: Betting Tips
Utah’s handicap is an obvious play at +2.0 (-110) (bet365). Utah’s moneyline of +110 is clear enough value as well. Furthermore, Utah at -13.5 for Alternative Spread 2 markets looks good. They are at +475 to win by 14 or more but can’t be considered to be such long shots given the recent history of the two teams.
For a huge dabble on a same-game parlay, think like this. LeBron James just had his season low for points and might really be injured this time. The Jazz might blow out the Lakers accordingly. If the Jazz do blowout the Lakers, then Will Hardy’s coaching tendency is to limit the minutes of his key players. Jazz cover -5.5, James UNDER 20.5 points, Markkanen UNDER 23.5 points, Sexton UNDER 18.5 points, Collins UNDER 11.5 points, James UNDER 6.5 rebounds, and Collins UNDER 5.5 rebounds is 200 to 1. All it might take is Utah winning this game big to start putting forces in motion that help that parlay win.
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