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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
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It's the new "Luka Show" in LA after the trade for Luka Doncic, who scored 14 points in 24 minutes of his Lakers debut on Monday vs. the same Jazz at Cryto.com Arena. Doncic (still watching his calf) has a questionable designation for tonight but LA was already on the upswing without him as it carries a win streak of six and a 10-1 mark its last eleven into SLC. Moreover, recent Lakers wins have been comprehensive such as the 132-113 romp past Utah on Monday. Always a chance of a letdown, but matchups look daunting for the outmanned, 12-40 Jazz, which never had a look on Monday when already down 25 by halftime. Note Utah has allowed 130+ in three straight games. Play Lakers
The Lakers have been forced to deploy more small lineups since they traded away Anthony Davis. That has resulted in more opportunities for Rui Hachimura. Across the six games since Davis was traded, Hachimura has averaged 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. He finished with at least 24 combined points and rebounds in five of those six games. That included Monday’s game against the Jazz in which he had 21 points and six rebounds. Look for him to remain productive in this rematch.
LeBron James has historically performed well against the Utah Jazz, averaging 28.1 points in 43 career games against them. In his most recent matchup this past Monday, he scored 24 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting in just 29 minutes. Utah ranks 30th in defensive efficiency and struggles to protect the rim, ranking in the bottom half in blocks. Additionally, with Luka Doncic listed as questionable due to a calf injury, James may need to take on more scoring responsibilities.
Hachimura's shooting stroke is much improved and he is feasting on the accelerated pace the Lakers are utilizing. No matter who is bringing ball up the court he is getting great looks. Has scored 20+ in 5 of 6 and has 27 P+R vs Jazz Monday in just 29 min of a total blowout. Should play more here in tighter game on road. Is over this in 4 of last 5 on the road and has 24+ P+R in 5 of last 6 games. Gets very hot behind the arc. Jazz have size but are soft on the boards and don't hustle for rebounds. I expect Rui to stay hot going into ASB. JJ Redick could limit some old guys and give him more run.
FanDuel. After a debut in which Doncic only played 24 minutes, and didn’t seem 100% healthy, I’ll pull the trigger here. He’s questionable to play, and if he does, it’s hard to see the Lakers pushing him past 30 minutes.
Only two players in the NBA average over 10 APG this season and its Trae Young and Nikola Jokic, who are both very high usage players, not to mention extremely skilled. With all due respect to Isaiah Collier, who looks like a steal at pick 29 for the Jazz, his game is still very raw. Collier's inability to consistently score is also eventually going to be problematic as I anticipate opposing defenses will dare him to shoot, which is likely going to come at the expense of his high assist totals. Either way I'm willing to fade him at this high of a number as I don't think his current production is sustainable. There is also some additional blowout risk here as well.
Lakers just led most of the way by around 30 vs Jazz Mon in Luka's first game, when he was just trying to get his legs under him and doing too much and throwing up hopeless threes. LBJ is a top 20 player in NBA right now, Austin Reeves back in top shooting form. Lake Show playing high octane running offense. LAL cover 6 in a row and 9 of 11, with average cover margin of 12.6. Jazz cannot defend, haven't played with energy and are 3-7 ATS in last 10. Jazz are 4-10 ATS at home vs Western Conference. Even in the altitude Lakers can excel here, split up LBJ/Luka mins, get bench scoring from Gabe Vincent et al and put up 125
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