It’s been seven long years, but the Utah Jazz have a chance to win a rare playoff series and can end the drought vs the Los Angeles Clippers in Friday’s Game 6. Oddsmakers opened the Clips as 5.5-point road underdogs with a total of 193.
While Utah boasts big names like Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, it’s been the wily veteran Joe Johnson who’s had the biggest impact in the first round. Johnson, who averaged 9.2 points in the regular season, has increased that number to 18.2 including game-winning shots in Games 1 and 5. As a franchise, the Jazz are a perfect 5-0 when holding a 3-2 lead in a playoff series.
Gobert missed three games after going down in Game 1 but has since returned to his normal self, while Hayward was once again a force in Game 5 thanks to 27 points and eight rebounds. Hayward was a non-factor in Game 4 after being sent home at halftime with food poisoning.
The Clippers had their sights set on a berth in the conference finals, however an injury to star power forward Blake Griffin had many pundits writing them off altogether. Los Angeles was dismayed in a Game 5 showing which saw the Clips score only 58 points through three quarters before falling 96-92 on their home floor. Chris Paul did his part to the tune of 28 points, but it wasn’t enough.
The Jazz have a great recent history of producing as favorites, going 8-0 SU in their past eight when labeled as chalk. Utah is also 10-1 SU in its last 11 games in Salt Lake City.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Odds makers at Sportsbook opened the Utah Jazz as -5.5-point favorites in this betting matchup earlier today, while the OVER/UNDER betting line was sitting around 191.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer score prediction models pick a possible 103-98 win for the Jazz on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Utah Jazz bring a 54-33 record (41-43-3 ATS) to the battle against the 53-34 Los Angeles Clippers, who are 41-45-1 ATS. Fans OVER/UNDER betting have seen Utah Jazz go 44-43 so far and the Los Angeles Clippers go 45-41-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Utah vs Los Angeles injuries news.
The Utah Jazz sit at No. 10 in the current NBA Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Los Angeles Clippers are at No. 4 on that betting chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Utah's No. 28-ranked offense (100.61 PPG) against a Los Angeles Clippers defense that ranks No. 11 at 104.07 PPG. The Utah Jazz have averaged 46.69% from the field per game, less than the Los Angeles Clippers have managed so far this NBA season (47.54% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Los Angeles home to Utah, Sunday, April 30th