The Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz on Sunday night in their last game of the regular season. The Lakers have already secured a spot in the playoffs. However, a win against Utah and a loss from the Denver Nuggets would see them climb to third place.
LA has won each of their three games against the Jazz, so they will be hoping to finish the season on a high note in front of their home supporters. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+ and SportsNet LA.
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Odds
Moneyline: Jazz (+750) vs Lakers (-1200)
Spread: Jazz +15.5 (-115) vs Lakers -15.5 (-105)
Total (O/U): Jazz o236.5 (-110) vs Lakers u236.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Preview & Seeding Scenarios
With just one win in their last 10 games, Utah has been grouped with the Sacramento Kings as one of the league’s worst teams in the West. Although that win came in a 147-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their last home game.
Utah started the season fairly well, staying in the play-in race before tanking over the last few months. The Jazz have some exciting building blocks for the future and will be hoping to land a top pick in the draft to further rebuild their roster.
It has been a tough few weeks for the Lakers after losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injuries, but the Purple and Gold have survived through the challenging stretch. LA recorded back-to-back wins after dropping three straight games. In its latest matchup, they beat the Phoenix Suns 101-73, with LeBron James leading the team with 28 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
Their recent surge has given them breathing room in a tightly packed Western Conference playoff race. At the moment, LA is one game back of the third spot and one game ahead of the fifth-place Houston Rockets. With the Nuggets resting most of their roster against the Spurs, the Lakers will look to take advantage against the Jazz and climb the standings. Interestingly, the Lakers own the tiebreaker over both Denver and Houston. A win against Utah could also help them avoid a potential first-round matchup with the Nuggets and instead set up a series against the Minnesota Timberwolves as the sixth seed.
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Injury Reports
Utah Jazz Injury Report
Utah has listed eight players out: Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, Elijah Harkless, Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.
LA Lakers Injury Report
Apart from the usual absentees Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have listed LeBron James and Jaxson Hayes as questionable.
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Starting Lineups
Jazz
PG: Cody Williams | SG: Bez Mbeng | SF: Brice Sensabaugh | PF: Ace Bailey | C: Kevin Love
Lakers
PG: Luke Kennard | SG: Marcus Smart | SF: Jake LaRavia | PF: LeBron James | C: Deandre Ayton
Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Prediction
A four-game sweep looms as inevitable for the Jazz. Despite missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are still capable of outgunning their injury-hit visitors, much like they did in the previous three meetings.
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