The LA Lakers will play the Utah Jazz at home in an attempt to keep up their perfect NBA Cup start. After the first round of games, their opponents are at the bottom of the West Group, while they are in second place. Our prediction for this match is below.
Walker Kessler’s hip injury has left the Utah Jazz without much depth up front and susceptible to this sort of scenario. I reckon the Lakers are to establish Davis inside against John Collins and Lauri Markkanen, and you know what will happen next.
Davis is coming off a torrid weekend shooting where he scored 31 points on 12-for-20 shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans on the Saturday following up that with 40 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. It is anyone’s guess that more of the same is in store tonight as the hosts nudge Davis even more into the No. 1 scorer role.
The guy is jacking up 10 free throws a night in November and has hit for double digits in three-balls in the last five, including a 10 for 16 clip in the last five games from beyond the arc.
With LeBron James and Austin Reaves at helm for L.A., I worry about a Utah team that lacks perimeter defenders, and that pair should be able to find their way inside for easy baskets on AD, 56% from the field on the year.
The only thing that worries me is the fourth quarter and the blowout potential of the game and Davis sitting the entire fourth quarter but I believe the Jazz can score enough points to keep Lakers starters on the court.
Davis’ averages 31.1 ppg, which means that he is set for record breaking season. He currently sits behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo in the scoring race, and the Lakers’ big man should increase that total here even with some foot soreness.
The Lakers have started their defense on a high note after winning the first-ever In-Season Tournament the previous season. On Match Day 1, J.J. Redick's team defeated the Spurs 120-115. They have now won five straight games, including that victory.
They will enter this game with every expectation of winning. Last time out away from home, LA defeated the Pelicans 104-99, continuing their 9-4 start to the season. They are now third in the West standings as a result of their performance.
On Match Day 1 of the Cup, the Suns defeated the Jazz 120–112 at home. Since then, they have only won one of their last three games.
With ten losses in 13 games, Will Hardy's team is likewise at the bottom of the Western Conference. They lost to the Clippers 116-105 the last time out.
The Lakers' perfect home record has propelled them to third place in the Western Conference, while JJ Redick's rotation change has improved bench unit balance. I'm laying the 7.5 points with L.A. for the 1H spread because I think the hosts will start off quickly.
The Jazz, who have recorded a -8.3 point deficit in their last three first half, are also reflected in that. The visitors are currently 0–2 on this road trip after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers 66–45 at the half on Sunday.
