Free NBA Pick: Clippers vs. Jazz NBA Odds
Looking for LA Clippers vs. Utah Jazz free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Clippers taking on the Jazz on Tuesday, June 8th at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Clippers Jazz matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 2
(0-0) LA Clippers vs. Utah Jazz (0-0)
Date: Tuesday, June 8th
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NBA Moneyline Odds: LA Clippers +150 | Jazz -160
NBA Betting Odds: Jazz -4
NBA Betting Total: 220.5
Tuesday, June 8th the Utah Jazz will host the LA Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semi-finals series. The Jazz arrives after dispensing of the Memphis Grizzlies in a gentleman’s sweep while the Clippers got only a single day to prepare needing the full seven games to win their opening series versus the Dallas Mavericks.
Utah won two of the three meetings between the teams this season although one match was played without most of the Clippers starters.
In the season series the Jazz backcourt of Donovan Mitchell (24.7 points, 5.7 assists) and Mike Conley (24.5 points, 3.5 assists) each played well while Kawhi Leonard registered a double-double of 24.5 points and 10.5 assists in the two contests he played in.
The teams last met in the postseason in the first round of the 2017 season with Utah winning in Game 7.
LA Clippers
Only one series went the distance in round one and the Clippers were the team who came out on top. Game 7 was also the only time either team won on their home court.
Although the series took longer to complete the Clippers seemed to find their stride winning four of the final five contests. Head coach Ty Lue made tweaks to the lineups that paid dividends.
Reggie Jackson replaced Patrick Beverley in Game 3 and in those five games averaged 18.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists shooting 42.2% from deep on 9.0 attempts.
Rookie Terance Mann also gained playing time as the series progressed providing more of an impact. Yet the biggest reason for the Clippers’ success was the performance of the superstars and Kawhi Leonard in particular.
Leonard averaged 32.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks in the series. His efficiency was particularly strong as he shot 61.2 percent from the field on 19.1 shot attempts, 42.5 percent from the perimeter on 5.7 attempts, and 89.8 percent from the charity stripe.
While Paul George has struggled from the perimeter he’s performed better than he did in the bubble averaging 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and just under one steal and block per game in round one.
Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell gained his rhythm over the four games he played (28.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists) versus the Grizzlies in round 1 producing much more like his typical self in the final two games scoring 30 points in each while dishing eight and 10 dimes respectively.
Rudy Gobert averaged a double-double of 17.4 points and 13 rebounds plus 3.2 blocks in the series despite facing an old school center Jonas Valanciunas who presented issues.
One concern is Mike Conley who was spectacular, averaging 23 points, 11.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds through Game 3 is once again hampered by the same hamstring that kept him out nine of the last 11 regular season matches.
Conley played only 11:35 in Game 5 and is questionable for Tuesday.
If he can’t go the Jazz will rely more on Jordan Clarkson (18.6 points) and Bojan Bogdanovic (18.4 points shooting 43.3% from deep) who both averaged over 18 points in Round 1.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Jazz are 7-3 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
- The Jazz are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these clubs
- The over/under is 4-5-1 in the last 10 contests between the clubs
Free LA Clippers vs. Utah Jazz NBA Prediction:
Utah is well-rested (off since Wednesday) and has the high altitude home-court advantage but the question is whether they’ll fall victim to a similar issue as the 76ers and Bucks did taking a half to shake off the rust.
The Clippers and Jazz 3-point efficiency ranked first and fourth in the regular season so the team who defends the perimeter better will have a decided advantage.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Clippers +4
Arguably, the Jazz possesses the best two-way system of the remaining teams — BUT Leonard is channeling the version of himself from two seasons ago when he won Finals MVP.
His presence offers the key edge for LA because no one on the Jazz can stop him and he’ll likely guard Mitchell in clutch time. For that reason and the uncertainty of Conley, I’ll take LA in Game 1.
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this LA Clippers vs. Utah Jazz matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2020-2021 NBA season, and check out our Experts for1 guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!