Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz 3/31/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Matchup Preview (3/31/22)

In their second straight game against a team from Los Angeles, the Utah Jazz will host the Lakers in a Western Conference dual. From now until the end of the regular season, every single game is of the utmost importance for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are on the cusp of getting beat out by the San Antonio Spurs for the final play-in spot. The Lakers just dropped a road game to the Dallas Mavericks, which was pretty much inevitable after LeBron James was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Unfortunately, this game will be no different as Los Angeles will again be without James and Anthony Davis. Davis should return sooner versus later, but it may not be in time for this team to have a shot at the postseason. Utah will have no trouble making the postseason as a top-six seed in the Western Conference; however, its collapse against the Paul George-led Clippers leaves much to be desired in terms of where its play stands. The Jazz have dropped five straight games and need to rebound as quickly as possible before the playoffs start; this effort will not get them past the first round.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Betting Odds

For what feels like the one-millionth time, I will be fading the Los Angeles Lakers in this matchup with the Jazz. Utah did blow a massive lead to the Los Angeles Clippers on the road and lost the game; however, the Clippers are a much better team than the Lakers. I also think that collapse can be partially attributed to the fact that the Clippers have played well from behind all season long. LeBron James will remain out with an ankle injury, and Anthony Davis is doubtful, which almost always means he will not be available. The Lakers can’t guard a microphone stand either, so it’s going to be a stretch to think they can defend the team with the best offensive rating in the NBA. I will take the Jazz against the spread and not look back.

How To Watch

Date: 3/31/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Vivint Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
Channel: TNT

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Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Malik Monk
SF: Austin Reaves
PF: Stanley Johnson
C: Dwight Howard

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

Well, LeBron James is ruled out, and Anthony Davis is listed as doubtful, so once again, we will be stuck with covering a team that has little chance of winning. Unfortunately, the Lakers’ playoff hopes hang in the balance of these next few games, and there is simply not enough talent or discipline on the floor to think they have a shot. If Russell Westbrook keeps playing as efficiently as he has been in the past six games, then he could help keep this game relatively close, but it is hard for me to conceive a scenario where the Lakers win. Without LeBron, this team does not stand a chance in most games, especially a play-in game, if they make it that far.

Utah Jazz Starting Lineup

PG: Mike Conley Jr.
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Royce O’Neale
PF: Juancho Hernangomez
C: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz Analysis

Here we go again. The Utah Jazz have dropped five straight games, including a recent loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, where they blew a huge lead late in the game. This type of inconsistency will get them bounced early in the playoffs, especially against a team like the Memphis Grizzlies or Golden State Warriors. Every player for Utah is healthy outside of Bojan Bogdanovic and Hassan Whiteside, so there is not much of an excuse for its poor play at the moment. If we exercise some understanding, though, every game they played during that losing streak was on the road, so it is not the end of the world. The competition the Jazz played was tough, too. Perhaps, we can look past their recent struggles, considering they are playing the Los Angeles Lakers without AD and LeBron James.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Daily Fantasy Picks

My thought process behind suggesting Russell Westbrook for DFS was on the right track. Westbrook finished the game against the Dallas Mavericks, the league’s second-best defense, with 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on an efficient 9-for-17 from the floor. He has been playing reasonably well in his past six games, averaging roughly 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists on a 53/42/70 shooting split! Sure, Westbrook has struggled at times this season; however, right now is not one of those times. The Jazz have a decent defense but are by no means lockdown defenders, and Westbrook will again be relied upon to produce a substantial portion of the Lakers’ offense, whether by shooting or passing. If Westbrook can post 25/8/6 against the Dallas Mavericks, who generally play at a slower pace and have a stifling defense, he can flirt with a triple-double against the Jazz. Utah plays much faster and looser, allowing Westbrook to find opportunities early and often.

Jordan Clarkson is one of the premier scorers off the bench in the NBA and last season’s Sixth Man of the Year award proves that to be fact. Clarkson has had another productive season this year, but he will likely not win again due to Tyler Herro’s incredible production. Still, Clarkson is a player that you always need to keep an eye on in DFS because he can heat up in a hurry, In the beginning of March, Clarkson registered an astounding 45 points on merely 21 shots, which is unbelievable efficiency, especially from a guard! Over the past ten games, Clarkson has posted over 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game; it is clear he is on a hot streak right now. There are few better teams for Clarkson to continue this streak against than the Lakers, who have had the worst defense against opposing guards all season long.