Lakers vs Jazz Pick, Prediction Tonight | Best Bet for In-Game Tournament Tuesday

Let's preview the latest NBA in-game tournament game with our Lakers vs Jazz pick and prediction tonight: the best bet for the In-Game Tournament on Tuesday.

The Jazz visit the Lakers for an In-Season Tournament game that could be crucial in determining who wins Group A. The Lakers are 3-0 in Group Play, and a win would secure them the top spot in the Group A. If the Jazz win, they'd take over first place in the group, but if the Suns then win their remaining two games, it would create a three-way tie between the Lakers, Jazz and Suns.

Let's get to our Lakers vs Jazz pick, prediction and best bet.

Pick: Lakers -7.5 | Play to -8

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The Lakers have found their stride a bit after staggering D'Angelo Russell's and Austin Reaves' minutes. This obviously centers on needing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis for those minutes, and both are listed on the injury report for Tuesday. I fully expect James (calf – questionable) and Davis (hip – probable) to play, especially considering James' comments about wanting to win the In-Season Tournament. I think it's more likely that they'll miss Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, if they miss a game at all.

James has played at an MVP-level this season and is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. What is even more incredible is that the Lakers are an absurd +28.4 when he is on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass. His points prop is set at 25.5 and his points + assists is 33.5, a number he has cleared in three straight games and in four of his past five wins. Kevin Durant shredded the Jazz the other night and found success as both a scorer and passer. James should have a similar opportunity against this porous Jazz defense.

The Jazz just lost a heartbreaker in double overtime on a very controversial game-ending call against the Suns. Now, this Tuesday night game is the first of a back-t0-back as Utah travels to Portland on Wednesday.

The Jazz will continue to miss Walker Kessler, who has been dealing with an elbow injury. He likely won't return until early December and his absence will be felt against a Lakers team that has the ability to attack in the paint.

This season, the Jazz have the sixth-worst Net Rating (-5.3), per Basketball Reference. This is in large part due to their second-worst Defensive Rating (120.6) as they simply can't stop anyone. Their opponents have an eFG% of 56.9% and are red hot from 3-point range, shooting 47.4% from the corner against the Jazz, per Cleaning the Glass.

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This is a tough matchup for the Jazz, especially against Davis on the interior. John Collins is the primary option to try and stop Davis, which sets up well for Davis and the Lakers to turn in a strong performance.

These teams could be competitive, but I don't think the Jazz, without Kessler, have answers for either James or Davis in the paint. Considering the brutal schedule spot after a double-overtime loss to the Suns, I'll lay the points with the Lakers in a game in which I expect them to score at will.

Pick: Lakers -7.5 | Play to -8

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