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The LA Lakers hit the road for a challenging four-game road trip amid their recent turbulent run. It's been a classic case of win one, lose one for the Purple and Gold as they blew their Emirates NBA Cup chances after a decisive 101-93 loss to the OKC Thunder. The defeat eliminated the defending champions from the marquee tournament and they will now look to regroup against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Sunday (Dec. 1) in what is a winnable matchup.
Minus the on-court self-inflicted errors, LA's biggest mistake is being guilty of squandering momentum. Erratic ball movement, a sputtering offense, and a belowpar defense have cost them games slipping them to sixth in a stacked West after occupying a top-five lost for a good part of the season so far.
These issues make their December slate of games a lot more challenging. They play five games over the next ten days and their opponents are all teams capable of springing surprises. They have seven games on the road this month, including a key Christmas Day showdown against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
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While it's about righting the ship for the Lakers, the Jazz have been pummelled all through November. Their wins have been scanty and the side is 3-7 in their last 10 games. They head into Sunday's matchup as part of their back-to-back after enduring their third straight loss going down 106-94 to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. The contest also marks the first back-to-back night for LA as they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.
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It was a Dalton Knecht special when the Lakers played the Jazz on Nov. 19. LA's NBA Cup matchup went in their favor after the rookie exploded for a career-high 37 points with 9-12 shooting from the deep. The result was a 124-118 win with Utah having no answer to the Tennessee product's 3-point barrage. Now, Round 2 can be a winning evening for LA if they manage to course correct and set the tone for a more successful December.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz Preview, prediction, betting tips, odds, and prediction
The LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz skirmish tips off at 8 pm ET. Local coverage will be on SportsNet LA and KJZZ. The game can be streamed live on Fubo TV and the NBA app with a subscription to the NBA League Pass.
Here's a look at the odds as listed at the time of writing.
Note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz Preview
The good news for the LA Lakers is the improvement on the defensive end. Their pesky defense showed promise, but shoddy rebounding and turnovers did them in. Second, D'Angelo Russell seems to have heated up as he propped up a good performance off the bench. The sixth man role seems to be finally working as the guard now has two solid games.
The concerns also start with Russell as he is a doubtful starter for Sunday's matchup. He is listed on the injury report with an illness and his availability is a question mark. His absence will make it tough as the Lakers are also likely to miss the services of Austin Reaves listed as questionable with a pelvic contusion. Going into the matchup, the Lakers battle injuries and inconsistencies with much resting on LeBron James and Anthony Davis yet again.
Their tenth-placed offense (113.5 points per every 100 possessions) has kept them over the .500 mark this season with the likes of Reaves and Knecht having a series of good games. The Lakers are placed 23rd on scoring defense averaging 115.7 points and allowing 114.0 points per 100 possessions. LA is 16th in forced turnovers.
The Jazz are a poor team on offense, averaging just 109.6 points per game and 106.4 points per every 100 possessions. They are placed 22nd in field goal shooting with 45% and 21st in 3-point shooting with 34.7%. They have a paltry defense as well with 117.1 points per 100 possessions. Walker Kessler's return adds more teeth to the Jazz as the forward brings in the much-needed two-way impact that Utah has sorely missed.
On paper, the Jazz have names that are bonafide matchwinners, but their slow start and the struggles to catch up have left them as one of the teams pegged to hit the NBA lottery this edition. But a team with the likes of Lauri Markkanen and Kessler cannot be ignored, and this could be a tricky matchup if the LA Lakers continue to err.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz Predicted Starting Lineup
The Lakers have some key names on the IR. Russell and Reaves find themselves questionable with an illness and a pelvic injury. Anthony Davis (heel ) is probable, while Jaxson Hayes (ankle sprain), Jarred Vanderbilt ( foot surgery recovery), Christian Wood (knee surgery recovery), and Bronny James Jr. ( heel contusion) are out.
Should Reaves start, he will take over point duties with Knecht as his backcourt partner.
The Jazz are yet to submit their official injury report. It's worth noting that the Jazz played the Mavericks without Jordan Clarkson, Cody Williams, and Kyle Filipowski. Lauri Markkenen and John Collins are game-time decisions. Should they indeed play, expect the hosts to field the same starting lineup.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz Betting Tips
Markkanen comes into the contest with an o/u of -115/-111 on points and rebounds. Collins is -113/-113 on points. For the Lakers, keep an eye out on LeBron James listed -118/-125 on points. Anthony Davis is -120/-104 on points and rebounds.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz Prediction
Despite their lack of form in recent games, the LA Lakers are still firm favorites to win the contest. The Jazz are short-handed compounding their woes on both ends of the floor further. LA's bench will need to turn up and look to carry that momentum when they play the T-Wolves on Monday. Take a Lakers win on Sunday.
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