Upcoming Match-ups

Jazz Open as -161 Favorites vs Clippers in 2nd Round Series Odds

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NBA Basketball

Updated Jun 7, 2021 · 5:55 AM PDT

Kawhi Leonard going for ball
Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers are +135 underdogs to the Utah Jazz in their NBA Western Conference 2nd round playoff series. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • The Utah Jazz are -161 favorites to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in their NBA Western Conference 2nd round playoff series that gets underway on Tuesday, June 8th
  • Utah has won nine of the past 12 games against the Clippers
  • Read below for opening series odds analysis and a prediction on if the line will move or not before Game 1

This is the round of the playoffs where it always ends for the Los Angeles Clippers. Lately, that’s also been the case for the Utah Jazz.

As these two clubs get set to meet in an NBA Western Conference 2nd round series, the fact of the matter is that the Clippers have never advanced to a conference final series. The Jazz most recently did so in 2007.

In other words, something’s gotta give, because one of these teams will be getting to the final four in 2021.

Oddsmakers are of the opinion that it will be the Jazz. Utah, which finished an NBA-best 52-20 during the regular season, are set as -161 favorites in the opening line on this series.

Jazz vs Clippers Opening Series Odds

Team Odds at BetMGM
Utah Jazz -161
Los Angeles Clippers +135

Odds as of June 6th.

Game 1 is set for Tuesday, 10pm ET at Vivant Arena. TNT will carry the broadcast.

Best Team Nobody Talks About

For the first time in franchise history, the Jazz were the NBA’s outright #1 team during the regular season. But they’ve been good for a lot longer than that.

Since 1995, only the San Antonio Spurs (1,372) have won more NBA games than the Jazz (1,198). In the playoffs, though, it’s been a different story.

Since losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals, the Jazz have dropped six of seven second round series.

https://twitter.com/NBA_Jeremy1/status/1400310670348804099?s=20

This time, though, would appear to be Utah’s time. The Jazz were the first Western Conference team to advance to the second round. They took out the Memphis Grizzlies in five games, winning four straight after dropping Game 1.

That rest could prove vital for Jazz guards Donovan Mitchell (knee) and Mike Conley Jr (hamstring), who are both nursing injuries.

Unibet Sportsbook Promo for 2nd Round of NBA Playoffs Gives You $6 for Every 3-Point Shot Your Team Hits
Read More

Clippers Come Back

The Clippers always seem to do it the hard way in the playoffs. The opening round against the Dallas Mavericks was no different. LA fell behind 2-0 and 3-2 in the series before rallying to win in seven games.

In Game 6, it was all Kawhi Leonard. The two-time NBA Finals MVP poured in 29 of his 45 points in the second half of a 104-97 victory.

The 126-111 decision in Game 7 was a total team effort by the Clippers. Seven different players hit for double digits, including all five starters. Leonard scored 28 points, Marcus Morris added 23 and Paul George was good for 22.

It was LA’s only home win of the series. The Clippers are the fifth team in league history to lose the first two games at home and come back to win a playoff series. Leonard is the fourth player in the NBA postseason to score a minimum of 200 total points in a series while shooting at least 60% from the floor.

All That Jazz

Utah has won nine of the last 12 games with the Clippers. That includes a 2-1 edge in three meetings this season.

The Jazz have won five in a row over the Clippers in Utah. LA hasn’t won a game there since 2017.

This is the fourth playoff series between the two teams. Utah has won all three previous meetings – twice in best-of-five series. Two of the three sets went the distance, including a 2017 first-round series. The Clippers are 0-7 all-time in second-round series.

This line is right about where it should be. The Jazz should be favored, but not by a whole bunch.

Author Image