Utah at LA Clippers Game #2 NBA Playoffs Odds & Game Info

The Utah Jazz took down the L.A. Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series, 97-95, despite losing center Rudy Gobert in the first minute of the game. The Jazz hold the fifth seed in the West but now have home court advantage for now. Can the Jazz continue to overcome the Clippers in the NBA odds? Let’s find out.

Utah at LA Clippers Game #2 NBA Playoffs Odds & Game Info

When: Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 10:30pm ET Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles TV: ROOT, TNT, PT Radio: Utah / Los Angeles Live Stream: NBA.tv NBA Odds: Clippers at -8½

Why should you bet on the Jazz?

The good news for the Jazz is that Rudy Gobert didn’t suffer any ligament damage when he went down in a collision in the first minute of Game 1. However, he did not return, and he came away with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise that make him a real question mark for the rest of the series. However, the fact that the Jazz had to go with a small-ball lineup for much of the rest of the way made life difficult for that Clipper defense. The confusion got to the point where Joe Johnson came down on the last play isolated on the smaller Jamal Crawford, so all he had to do was back Crawford down into the paint and then hoist a runner over him, which rolled in at the buzzer to win. If the Jazz can keep the Clippers confused on defense, they might be able to steal another game or two before Gobert comes back.

Why should you put your money on the Clippers?

The Clippers entered this game riding a seven-game winning streak, and two of their big weapons, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, had 26 and 25 points respectively. The problem in Game 1 had to do with control of the paint, as Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was only able to put up 10 points and 15 boards despite the Jazz not having a true center. The athleticism of Griffin should be able to wear down smaller Utah defenders, and Jordan should be able to exploit matchup problems inside for the Jazz, who now lack a true rim defender. Once the Clippers solve the puzzle of the shifting defensive rotations by the Jazz, they should be able to even up the series.

Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like the team-first approach that the Jazz bring, and I like how they exploited the Clippers’ weaknesses inside, but I see Los Angeles catching up with them in Game 2 and winning, 110-101.