The Los Angeles Lakers suddenly have a much better chance to steal a couple of wins against the best team in the NBA this season. While it’s not something anybody hopes for, the loss of star guard Donovan Mitchell for the Jazz makes this weekend’s set between the two teams much more even.
It also likely gives the Lakers even more time to rest Anthony Davis, who was recently cleared to return to full on-court basketball activities. The Lakers have already put together some wins against good teams without their stars lately and tonight may be another great opportunity.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Jazz -5
- Money line: Jazz -200 / Lakers +165
- Over-under: 213.5
Place your legal, online sports bets in VA, CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
The Jazz were able to get things together after Mitchell got hurt on Friday night to pull out a home win against the Indiana Pacers. But while that is all well and good, the Lakers defense should provide a very difficult challenge for a Jazz team playing without their offensive engine.
The Jazz have a lot of weapons, but the Lakers have built their season in large part thanks to their ability to take away main weapons. While they were successful on Thursday, Jaylen Brown went for 40. The Jazz don’t have a Jaylen Brown without Mitchell out.
Since the Jazz are getting used to life without Mitchell, I think the Lakers will catch them in the first of these two games.
Prediction: Lakers 112, Jazz 105