Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers NBA Playoffs Pick
This Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers NBA Playoffs pick is courtesy of Pregame.com, the leading sports handicapping and free picks website on the Net.
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semi-Final. The Lakers are currently up 1-0 in their series. The Lakers are 6 point favorites, with a total of 199.5 points expected tonight. TNT will broadcast the game at 10:30 EDT.
Los Angeles got out to a quick start in Game 1, as they led 30-23 at the end of the 1st Quarter. The Jazz were a tough competitor though, as they played the Lakers close nearly the entire game. The Lakers actually lost their lead in the final quarter, yet used G Kobe Bryant's brilliance to win Game 1. Bryant finished with 31 PTS, shooting an efficient 12 of 19 from the field. F Pau Gasol also had a great game, as he had 25 PTS and 12 rebounds. Gasol and Bryant combined to go a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line in Game 1. The Lakers are 5-2 SU so far during the playoffs, yet they are only 3-4 ATS in the same span. C Andrew Bynum is averaging 11.4 PPG and nearly 10 RPG this postseason, despite battling injury concerns. Bynum was limited to only 24 minutes played in Game 1. Los Angeles is 62-27 SU and 36-50-3 ATS overall this season. The Lakers are 38-7 SU and 18-26-1 ATS in home games this season. Los Angeles is only 20-28 ATS against teams with a winning SU record this year.
The Lakers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning SU record. The Under is 12-5 in their last 17 games as a home favorite. Center Andrew Bynum is listed as Probable with a knee injury. Guard Sasha Vujacic is Doubtful with an ankle injury.
Utah played the Lakers tough in Game 1, and they had a chance to steal not only the game but also home court advantage. The Jazz have struggled mightily at the Staples Center, so many Utah fans feel they missed their golden opportunity. Utah had great balance offensively in Game 1, as they had 5 players score at least 14 PTS. PG Deron Williams was his usual spectacular self, as he led the Jazz with 24 PTS and 8 assists. F Carlos Boozer had 18 PTS and 12 rebounds in Game 1, yet didn't attempt a single free throw. Utah only made 5 of their 18 three point attempts in Game 1, a stat they must improve on to win this series. The Jazz are 57-32 SU and 54-32-3 ATS overall this season. The Jazz are 22-23 SU and 25-19-1 ATS on the road this season. Utah is 14-12 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 5-5 ATS as a road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS. Utah is an impressive 28-18 ATS this year against teams with a winning record. The Jazz are 31-20 ATS this season against teams that are averaging more than 99 PPG.
The Jazz are 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games following a SU loss. The Over is 5-0 in their last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record. Guard Deron Williams is Probable with a minor ankle injury. Forward Andrei Kirilenko is listed as Questionable with a calf injury.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 100-89 in favor of the Lakers. The Under 199.5 is the Total of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
