Jazz vs. Lakers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Apr. 17, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Jazz vs. Lakers Betting Resources

Western Conference NBA action will resume on Saturday evening with the Lakers set to host the Jazz during the first matchup on ESPN’s nationally televised slate. So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the weekend’s top contests.

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Staples Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Saturday, Apr. 17, 2021
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Jazz vs. Lakers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Utah -1
Money-Line: Utah -115 Los Angeles +105
Total: 214

Utah enters Saturday’s contest as a one-point favorite over the home Lakers – marking the fifth time Frank Vogel’s team has been listed as an underdog across its last six games. While the total for this event currently sits at OU 214, which is just the fifth time that the over-under for a Jazz game has been set below 220 since the conclusion of January.

The Jazz travel to Los Angeles with no rest on Saturday seeking their second win this season over the Lakers. (AP)

Jazz vs. Lakers Current Form-Last Game

The Jazz head into Saturday following wins in four of their last five contests – with Utah’s only loss across that span coming in a non-conference matchup against Washington.

Donovan Mitchell exited Utah’s matchup against the Pacers on Friday with an ankle injury. The Jazz still managed to pull out an eight-point victory though – as Bojan Bogdanovic paced Utah with 24 points on 9-16 from the field during the contest.

On the other hand, the Lakers enter Saturday’s contest following losses in three of their last five games, which includes defeats at the hands of the Knicks, Celtics, and Heat during that timeframe.

Los Angeles' most recent matchup resulted in another loss to the Celtics – as Jaylen Brown torched the Lakers for 40 points on 17-20 from the field on the way to an eight-point victory for Boston.

Jazz vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

Los Angeles won all three of its regular season matchups against the Jazz last season – with two of those contests splitting on each side of the over-under, and one ringing in right at the total set for Saturday’s affair (OU 216).

The most recent matchup between these teams took place back in February of this year though – which resulted in a 25-point win for the Jazz, as six different Utah players eclipsed double-digit scoring in the blowout victory.

Feb. 24, 2021 - Jazz 114 vs. Lakers 89, Utah -8.5, Under 219

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Utah Jazz Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 41-14 SU, 33-22 ATS, 27-28 OU
Road: 16-11 SU, 13-14 ATS, 14-13 OU

The Jazz currently own the best record across the entire NBA at 42-14, while also managing to maintain the fifth highest clip against the spread at 33-23 – only trailing the Suns, Grizzlies, Knicks, and Clippers in that department.

The total has now stayed under in three of the last five Jazz games, with Utah’s only ‘over’ results during that timeframe coming in matchups against teams that play virtually no defense – Washington and Sacramento.

That low-scoring trend is consistent with how Utah’s games have played out over the course of this season too – with the total going over at a 26-28-1 clip in matchups containing the Jazz so far this year.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 34-22 SU, 27-29 ATS, 21-35 OU
Home: 16-12 SU, 11-17 ATS, 12-16 OU

Expectations have been low in Los Angeles lately, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both currently sidelined due to injuries. Things are starting to look up for the Lakers though, considering Davis is gearing up for a return any day now.

Fortunately for the Jazz, Saturday isn’t that day – considering AD has already been ruled out for the Lakers matchup against Utah.

Even with the extended absences of their superstars, the Lakers haven’t played that bad over their latest stretch of games. Los Angeles heads into Saturday’s matchup after posting records of 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS during their latest six-game window – despite being favored in just two of those contests.

Riding the ‘under’ in Lakers’ games has been one of the most profitable betting trends in the league this year – with the over-under currently sitting at a 21-35 clip in matchups containing Los Angeles so far this season.

Make note though, the oddsmakers have aggressively scaled down the totals in Lakers’ games recently – which has led to ‘over’ results in five of their last six contests.

Key Injuries

Utah Jazz

C Rudy Gobert: Rest - Out
PG Mike Conley: Rest - Out
SG Donovan Mitchell: Ankle - Out
PF Derrick Favors: Knee - Out
C Udoka Azubuike: Ankle - Out

Los Angeles Lakers

PF Markieff Morris: Ankle - DTD
C Marc Gasol: Finger - DTD
C Andre Drummond: Toe - DTD
SF LeBron James: Ankle - Out
SF Jared Dudley: Knee - Out
PG Dennis Schroder: Foot - Probable
PF Kyle Kuzma: Calf - Probable
SG Wesley Matthews: Achilles - Probable
PF Anthony Davis: Achilles - Out

Jazz vs. Lakers Best Prop Bet

Dennis Schroder struggled at the offensive end of the floor during Los Angeles' loss to the Celtics a few days back – scoring just eight points on three of eight from the field as the Lakers were defeated in an ugly manner on Thursday night.

Prior to that performance though, Schroder had scored 19 or more points in three consecutive games, while taking 11 or more shot attempts in all those matchups. I’ll back Schroder to have another solid night on the scoreboard against the Jazz here.

Best Bet: Schroder Over 15.5 Points (-115)