NBA Picks: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday, 3/31/12, 10:30 PM EST, TV: FSSW
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -6
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -5
Opening Total: 192
Current Total: 192.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Utah Jazz have won 10 of their last 12 meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers

Utah has dropped its last two games that includes a disappointing 104-103 loss to the Sacramento Kings as 7.5-point home favorites last night. The Jazz managed to shoot just 35.2 percent from the field, as they fell one game behind the Denver Nuggets for the final spot in the Western Conference playoff race. “You’ve got to learn how to play and close out ballgames,” commented Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin. The team has split two meetings with Los Angeles this year, but both games were played in Salt Lake City. Utah is 1-7 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points and the “under” is 4-3 in that situation.

The Jazz have tallied a dismal 8-18 road record this year, including a 5-12 mark versus teams out West. Center Al Jefferson continues to lead the team on the offensive end, pouring in 27 points in Friday night’s loss, while averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game on the season. Utah is still 98-60 all-time in this series, and has won 10 of the last 12 overall meetings.

Los Angeles has won three games in a row and comes off an exciting 98-97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers as 9.5-point home favorites last night. The Clippers have covered three of those four contests, but are still 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games overall. Point guard Chris Paul was electrifying in the contest, finishing with 20 points and 14 assists, which happened to be his fourth double-double of the season. Offensively, the team has averaged 99.8 points on 50.5 percent shooting over the last three games. Los Angeles is 14-13 ATS at home and the “under” is 18-9 in that situation.

The Clippers are now 19-8 when playing inside the Staples Center, including a solid 12-6 mark versus conference rivals. Los Angeles will need another big effort from Paul and power forward Blake Griffin to pull off a victory in this affair, as the All-Star duo combined for 65 points in capturing a 107-105 win as 2.5-point road favorites in the last meeting in this series on Feb. 1. Total players will find that the “over” has cashed in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.