Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4/4/23)

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Utah Jazz on a road trip in a Western Conference clash. The Lakers have won three games in a row, with the last one coming against the Rockets in a blowout win, while the Jazz are coming off two straight road losses, with the last one being a very close one against the Nets on the road. My prediction is that the Lakers cover the 8-point spread. The Jazz are tanking right now, while the Lakers are still trying to solidify their playoff standing. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Prediction

The Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -8

The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a roll recently and are finally fully healthy and ready for the stretch run of the regular season.

LeBron James is back and the Lakers go as he goes this season. James leads the Lakers in scoring at 29 PPG and in assists at 7 per game, and he’s second in rebounds at 8.5 per game. Anthony Davis is up next in production this season. Davis averages 27 PPG and leads the team in rebounds at 12 per game and in blocks at 2 per game. D’Angelo Russell is up next in production and has been a huge part of the Lakers’ success recently. He averages 17 PPG and is second in assists at 6 per game. They also get some more help from Dennis Schroeder in the backcourt by averaging 13 PPG.

The Lakers are very well-rounded now. They’re 8th in scoring at 116.7 PPG, 10th in field goal percentage at 48.1%, and 6th in rebounding at 45.6 per game. They’re also up to 11th in defensive rating at 113.2.

On the other side, the Jazz have been slumping recently and might be ready to pack it up for the rest of the season.

The Utah Jazz are lead by Lauri Markkanen this season. He’s thrived in Utah this season after being traded from Cleveland. He leads the team in scoring at 26 PPG and in rebounds at 9 per game. Due to injuries, Kelly Olynyk, Kris Dunn, and Talen Horton-Tucker are the ones next up in production. Olynyk averages 12 PPG, Dunn averages 12 PPG and leads the team in assists at 5 per game, and Horton-Tucker averages 10.5 PPG.

Utah is one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. They’re 6th in scoring at 117.1. 5th in rebounding at 45.8 per game, and 8th in offensive rating at 115.6. They’re also 4th in blocks at 5.4 per game.

The Lakers are in the best position they’ve been in all year with their roster and are ready for a run to the postseason. They should blow the Jazz out in this game because of Utah’s injuries. The Lakers win and cover easily.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Betting Odds

The Los Angeles Lakers are 8-point favorites against the Utah Jazz and are at -325 on the money line. There’s no over/under listed just yet, but expect it to be high with both teams being in the top-10 of the NBA in scoring. The Lakers being this much of a favorite makes sense because they’re healthy and have playoff standing to play for, while the Jazz don’t have much left to play for. This spread could move a bit depending on if some of the Jazz players get cleared to play.

Betting Trends

Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Key Matchups

Can Kelly Olynyk matchup with LeBron James? Can Anthony Davis matchup with Lauri Markkanen?

LeBron James vs. Kelly Olynyk

LeBron James has been incredible for the Lakers this year at his age. He averages 29 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Kelly Olynyk most of the game, who averages 12 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. Olynyk is bigger than LeBron, but this is a bad matchup for him. LeBron is the biggest reason the Lakers should cover this 8-point spread.

Lauri Markkanen vs. Anthony Davis

Lauri Markkanen has had to carry the Jazz at times this year. He averages 26 points, 2 assists, and 9 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Anthony Davis most of the game, who averages 27 points, 2.5 assists, and 12 rebounds per game. This is a great matchup overall, but Davis has the advantage and should be why the Lakers cover this spread too.

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Jarred Vanderbilt
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

Utah Jazz Starting Lineups

PG: Kris Dunn
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: Lauri Markkanen
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C: Damian Jones

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: C Mo Bamba (Ankle) O, PG D’Angelo Russell (Foot) Q

Utah Jazz Injuries: PG Collin Sexton (Hamstring) D, SF Rudy Gay (Back) D

Post
Jake Faigus, graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and minored in sports management. He wrote for The Daily Wildcat, as well as the Arizona Fansided blog, Zona Zealots. He currently writes for Aaron Torres Media and runs social media for BracketFanatics.

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