The Los Angeles Lakers (11-4) and Utah Jazz (5-10) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The game will broadcast live on KJZZ.
The Lakers are -9.5 favorites over the Jazz on the spread (Lakers -9.5), with the over/under set at 244.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -410 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Utah is +320 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, November 23.
My Lakers vs Jazz Prediction
- Lakers vs Jazz pick: Over 244.5 Points
My Jazz vs Lakers best bet is Over 244.5 total points in this game, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Jazz Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 244.5 -110o / -110u | -410 |
| Jazz Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 244.5 -110o / -110u | +320 |
Lakers vs Jazz NBA Preview
For the Lakers, it has been a very light work week with just one game since Tuesday. However, that one game was particularly notable as LeBron James made his season debut, becoming the first NBA player to play 23 seasons.
James took just seven shots, but recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 assists. He helped the Lakers defeat the Jazz, today's rivals again, 140-126.
Following the win, Luka Doncic said "He makes things easier. He's another player that can create, score, and do a lot of things." However, it was Doncic who led the way with 37 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists.
Austin Reaves and DeAndre Ayton both scored over 20 points, while Jake LaRavia added 16 points and two 3-pointers off the bench.
Reaves' usage has gone up with James sidelined to begin the year and Doncic missing some time as well. Head coach J.J. Redick will have to figure out the right mix to stagger them and re-integrate James.
However, getting the 21-time All-NBA selection back in the lineup will only make the league's No. 11 offense even better. The Lakers will get another look at the Jazz's No. 27-ranked defense.
In between its games against LA, Utah hosted the Thunder and looked like it would pose a formidable threat early on. The Jazz built an 18-point lead in the first quarter, but it was whittled down to one by halftime. Then, the Thunder flipped the game completely with runs of 22-0 and 33-4 in the third quarter en route to hand the Jazz a 144-112 defeat.
It was the Jazz's third straight game allowing 140 points or more, as well as the seventh consecutive game allowing 120 or more. Facing a potent Lakers attack has tonight's total well above 240 points. However, do not expect the scoring to be one-sided.
In Lauri Markkanen, Utah has the league's sixth-leading scorer, averaging 29.9 points. He was held under 20 points for just the second time this season, taking only eight shots. However, he scored 31 on 12-for-21 from the field against the Lakers.
Keyonte George was on fire in the first quarter against the Lakers and finished with 34 points and eight assists. The third-year guard is averaging 22.8 points and seven assists per game this season.
Lakers vs Jazz Prediction, Betting Analysis
Last Sunday, as I was considering my best bet for the Bulls-Jazz game, the over was among my final choices.
Isaiah Collier did cash his assists line, but the game soared over with 254 points in regulation and finished with 297 points. The Jazz are now 9-6 to the over this season, but also 7-1 in home games.
The Lakers are no strangers to cashing overs themselves, as 10 of their 15 games this season have gone over. That includes Tuesday's game against the Jazz that finished with 266 points.
Of the last 10 meetings, nine of them have had a total over 230 points, and eight of them have gone over, clearing by an average of 17.3 points.
Markkanen will likely be in a starring role again in a more favorable matchup for him. He has scored 25 points in 10 of 15 games this season, as well as four of his last seven games against the Lakers. That includes 32 and 31 points in his last two games against the Lakers.
George has played a part in those Jazz home overs. He had six assists in all eight home games. He has also scored 18 points in 12 of 15 games this season and in four of his last seven against the Lakers.
I like him for 25 PA tonight, which he has cleared in 11 of 15 games this season and averaged 36 combined in his last two games against the Lakers.
Despite James' return, Reaves still scored 26 points and has now scored 20 in 11 of 12 games this season. The Jazz are allowing the second-most points (25.9) per game to shooting guards.
I will cap this parlay with James for seven assists, which he has reached in each of his last six games against the Jazz. As he rounds back into form, he may defer to Doncic and Reaves a bit more.
Pick: Over 244.5 Points (-110, DraftKings)
Lakers vs. Jazz Parlay Odds
- Lauri Markkanen 25+ Points
- LeBron James 7+ Assists
- Keyonte George 25+ Points + Assists
- Austin Reaves 20 Points
Parlay Odds: +385 via DraftKings
Jazz vs Lakers Betting Trends
