The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns Sunday, November 6, 2022, to open their four-game regular-season series with the tip-off at 10:00 PM ET. The Jazz head to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles as 5.5-point underdogs, while the totals are listed at 225.5 points. 

Utah is without Leandro Bolmaro, who hasn’t cleared the medical protocols yet. On the other side, the Clippers miss Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Robert Covington (medical protocols), while Luke Kennard (chest) is questionable to play.

The Utah Jazz comfortably outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers 130-116 as 3.5-point road underdogs this past Friday, improving their record to 7-3 SU and ATS on the season. Utah shot 50.5% from the field and 42.5% from beyond the 3-point line (17-for-40) against one of the better defensive teams in the league, and Lauri Markkanen led the charge with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson had 20 points and seven boards, while Mike Conley posted a double-double of 15 points and ten assists. 

“Again, it’s a night where we had a lot of different guys contribute at a lot of different times in the game,” first-year Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “It’s just another testament to the group, and to doing it as a group.”

The Jazz decided to trade away Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in the offseason, so many expected to see Utah bottom of the Western Conference. However, the Jazz are off to a strong start and rank eighth in the league in offensive efficiency (114.9 points per 100 possessions). Also, Utah is handing out 28.0 assists per 100 possessions (3rd in the NBA) while making 36.7% of its 3-pointers (12th).

On the other side of the ball, the Jazz are allowing 110.8 points per 100 possessions (tied-12th). Their defense ranks 14th in the league in field goal percentage (46.3%), seventh in 3-point percentage (33.1%), and third in steals per 100 possessions (9.0).

The Los Angeles Clippers moved to 5-4 SU and 3-6 ATS on the season following Friday’s 113-106 victory at the San Antonio Spurs. After a couple of wins over the Houston Rockets, 95-93 and 109-101, the Clippers extended their winning streak to three games, overcoming a ten-point third-quarter deficit. They shot 52.5% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc (15-of-33), while Paul George led the way with 32 points and six assists.
“We did a great job at the end of keeping pace into the game,” LA guard John Wall said after posting 15 points and six assists against the Spurs. “When we play with pace, we’re a tough team because we get out, get mismatches. We pass the ball to the right guy; they make the right reads and make plays. Try to make the game simple.”

Paul George has been a true leader in Kawhi Leonard’s absence, tallying 23.8 points and 4.9 assists a night. Ivica Zubac posted a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double against San Antonio, and the 25-year-old big man is now posting 10.0 points and 11.6 boards per contest.

The Clippers own the lowest offensive rating in the NBA, scoring 103.5 points per 100 possessions. They rank 15th in field goal percentage (46.8%) and 24th in 3-point percentage (32.9%). The Clippers are surrendering 107.4 points per 100 possessions (3rd in the league) on 43.6% shooting from the field (also 3rd) and 32.5% from downtown (2nd).

The Clippers have won three straight games by eight or fewer points, outlasting the lowly Houston Rockets twice in the process. Hereof, I’m expecting to see another close battle when the Jazz come to town. Utah just found a way to drop 130 points on the Lakers, and the Jazz should have enough firepower to deal with the Clippers’ D. I’ve mentioned Utah’s selfless approach, so give me the visitors and points.

Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall and 7-3 ATS in its last ten encounters with the Western Conference. The Clippers are 2-6 ATS in their previous eight contests overall, though they’ve covered in five straight home games against the Jazz.