The LA Clippers and Utah Jazz open their seasons Wednesday. Tip-off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Clippers vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: LA won 4-0
LA had a busy offseason, compiling the oldest roster in the NBA with an average age of 33.2 years. During the summer, the Clippers added G Bradley Beal, G Chris Paul and C Brook Lopez to strengthen the team and create one of the deepest rosters in the league. However, the Clippers did lose G Norman Powell to the Miami Heat in the deal that sent F John Collins to LA.
Utah’s biggest offseason moves included drafting G Ace Bailey out of Rutgers, drafting G Walter Clayton Jr. out of Florida and trading Collins to the Clippers for a package that included F Kyle Anderson and F Kevin Love. The Jazz also lost key veterans in guards Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. In addition, Utah made several smaller depth moves, such as trading Sexton for C Jusuf Nurkic and acquiring G Josh Richardson via trade.
Clippers at Jazz odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clippers -475 (bet $475 to win $100) | Jazz +360 (bet $100 to win $360)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers -10.5 (-110) | Jazz +10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Clippers at Jazz key injuries
Clippers
Jazz
- G Ace Bailey (illness) questionable
- G Isaiah Collier (hamstring) out
- F Georges Niang (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Clippers at Jazz picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 121, Jazz 109
PASS.
The Clippers are the much better team and should have no trouble winning as -475 favorites, but they’re not worth the risk at such heavy odds. Pass on the moneyline, and bet the spread and/or O/U instead.
LEAN CLIPPERS -10.5 (-110).
When healthy, the Clippers should be one of the best teams in the NBA. They were a 50-win team with a top-5 scoring defense last season and have only improved entering this year. Expect LA to simply outclass Utah, with its defense stifling the Jazz’s half-court offense.
This is a lean because winning by 11 points or more is never easy, no matter the opponent — especially if Bailey plays, since we have no idea what he’ll look like as an NBA player.
BET OVER 225.5 (-115).
Utah’s defense allowed 121.2 points per game last season — the worst mark in the NBA — so expect that unit, which will likely be just as bad, to make scoring an easy task for LA.
On the other side, Utah won’t find consistent offensive success against this Clippers defense, but its offense should be good enough to justify confidence in the Over — because Utah’s defense is just that bad.
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