Jazz vs Clippers Odds, Spread and Predictions

• The LA Clippers visit the Utah Jazz in a rematch of last year’s West playoff semifinal
• Utah has reeled off seven straight wins; LA has won three in a row, the last three without Paul George
• The odds and matchups can be found below with a prediction

So far, it’s been no Paul George, no problem for the LA Clippers.

Having won three straight without their current lone star, their four-game win streak will be put to the test when they visit the Utah Jazz.

Utah’s on a run of their own, reeling off seven straight wins, the current longest run in the league.

It’s the first meeting since a memorable West semifinal, which the Clippers took to advance to the NBA’s Final Four.

Like that matchup, LA will be shorthanded again, as reflected by being 8.5-point road ‘dogs Wednesday night.

It all gets underway at 10pm ET from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Jazz vs Clippers Odds

Odds as of Dec 14 at FanDuel

LA Clippers’ Outlook

This iteration of the Clippers is definitely resilient. They been without Kawhi Leonard all year as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Now George will miss his fourth straight game with an elbow injury, and the Clips haven’t skipped a beat.

📊 24 PTS / 10-16 FG / 11 REB

A season-high 22 points for @MookMorris2. pic.twitter.com/5Xqzq6ke13

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 14, 2021

They improved to 16-12 after winning their third straight minus PG, laying the wood to the Phoenix Suns 111-95 on Sunday. LA sits fifth in the West.

Marcus Morris led a balanced Clippers’ attack with 24 points and 11 boards. Six LA players finished in double digits. Among them was Reggie Jackson, who had 19 points and three rebounds.

REGGIE JACKSON FOR THE WIN! 💥 pic.twitter.com/EiYlwgGiHc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2021

While George has assumed the star mantle in Leonard’s absense, Jackson has developed into a reliable second star. He’s resembling the player the Detroit Pistons wanted when signing him to big money from OKC.

He’s averaging 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and has scored in double figures in all but three games for the Clippers hit season.

Utah Jazz Outlook

While the Warriors and Suns surge and take much of the headlines as they battle for tops in the West, lurking just beneath them in a tier unto their own are the Utah Jazz.

Utah is in that rare space where nothing they do garners much attention, as they’re left to prove their worth in the postseason.

Donovan Mitchell this season:

24.8 PPG
5.0 APG
3.8 RPG
1.7 SPG (career-high)
46% FG (career-high)
35% 3PT
89% FT (career-high)

So many tough buckets. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/cJcYYvO6d4

— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopNBA) December 13, 2021

Last time out, they hammered a good Washington Wizards team 123-98 to wrap a five-game road trip. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 28 points and four rebounds. He’s been the leading scorer every game this run.

Rudy Gobert was a tidy 9-for-10 from the floor for 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Utah had six players finish in double-digit scoring.

Rudy Gobert is having his way with the rim tonight 💪🏽pic.twitter.com/btNyAIwDRJ

— Jazz Nation (@JazzNationCP) December 12, 2021

The Jazz are currently tops in offensive rating in the league, leading the league in scoring at a 115.3 points a game. They rate first in field goal shooting at 48.1%, while hitting from deep at the third best rate in the NBA at 37.2%. They attempt the most threes in the NBA at over 42.6 a contest.

That goes along with their defense, which has the sixth-best rating in the NBA. They’re top-10 in field goal shooting defense, and are limiting teams to a paltry 32.3% mark from deep, which ranks third.

Jazz vs Clippers Pick

The Jazz are 9-4 at home this season, with a point differential of +10.3, while the Clippers are just 4-5 on the road.

Last year, LA downsized to neutralize Rudy Gobert in the playoffs, but they’ll likely stay big up front in this one-off contest. Look for the combo of Ivaca Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein to contend with the Frenchman.

Zubac does stuff like this every game these days. Seems like a regular defensively play, but if Zu is ONE step too high it’s a lob, and is one or two steps too deep it’s a Shamet layup.

Just picture perfect footwork and timing out of these 2 on 1’s by Zu. pic.twitter.com/ir58vWEIlG

— Justin W. (@LAClippersFilm) December 14, 2021

Their production bodes well for team success: LA is 7-1 when Zubac records a double-double, while 12-5 when Hartenstein logs 15 or more minutes.

Though this Clips mini-run has been a surprise, eventually the talent disparity will show, and Utah is a club that can flex on them.

During their win streak, only two games have been decided by less than 10 points, and only one was a one-possession result. Those two results have deflated their average margin of victory to 18.7 points.

Look for Utah to roll Wednesday.

The Pick: Jazz -8.5 (-110)