The Los Angeles Clippers take to the road for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 10 p.m. ET at Vivint Arena with the series tied 2-2. Below, we look at the Clippers-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
The last time these two matched up in Utah in Game 2, there was a raucous crowd of 18,007. The Jazz are 2-0 at home in the series.
The Clippers are coming in hot with SF Marcus Morris finding his rhythm. SF Kawhi Leonard scored over 30 points in back-to-back games, as well.
After being completely dismantled for the bulk of Game 4, Utah has to figure out how to get back to its winning ways. As long as the Jazz keep riding their home wave, they’ll be just fine.
Clippers at Jazz: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Clippers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Jazz -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Clippers +3 (-110) | Jazz -3 (-110)
- Over/Under: 223.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Clippers at Jazz: Key injuries
Clippers
- PF Serge Ibaka (back) out
Jazz
- PG Mike Conley (hamstring) questionable
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Clippers at Jazz: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Jazz 114, Clippers 110
Money line (ML)
PASS on the money line, although a bet on the Clippers does sound enticing after watching what happened in Game 4.
However, assuming Morris doesn’t go 5-for-6 from deep again, the Clippers could find themselves in trouble, much like they did in the two previous games in Utah.
Betting that the road team wins its first game of the series in Game 5 doesn’t make much sense. After several blowouts, this one should be close nonetheless as both teams are starting to figure out the other.
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Against the spread (ATS)
Bet JAZZ -3 (-110) because the home team has been dominant.
The Jazz’s dominance at home is no joke. It’s not a one-series fling either. They lost five games all regular season at home and 15 on the road.
With a 35-6 record at home and a 23-17 record on the road (including the playoffs), the Jazz are more confident and their elite 3-point shooting is much more lethal on their home court.
Knowing that, there’s no way I’d bet the Clippers to continue to dominate Utah.
Sixth Man of the Year SG Jordan Clarkson was MIA in Game 4, notching 8 points with a minus-16 rating. C Rudy Gobert also got a few quick fouls, something unlikely to repeat itself.
For those reasons, betting Utah to cover and win by 4 or more points in Game 5 is the best value. Also, the home team has covered in all four games.
Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the OVER 223.5 (-105).
The Over hit in two of four games, and the two teams totaled at least 221 points in all four. Sure, it’s possible two 3-point-heavy teams collapse, but the Jazz shot over 40% from deep in two home games in the series.
If that repeats itself, the Over should hit. The Jazz are 40-40-1 on the Over while the Clippers are 40-41-2, including the playoffs.
Oddsmakers have been spot on with these two teams so far this season, and Game 5 appears no different. The Over is the better play, but neither side is a great bet for the value.
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