Clippers -5(-105)
Jazz vs. Clippers NBA Playoffs Game 4 Picks and Odds Analysis (Archive)
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday, June 14, 2021 – 10:00 PM EDT at Staples Center
The Utah Jazz lead the West Semifinals, 2-1, after winning the first two games at home. The Los Angeles Clippers quickly answered with a win on their home court on June 12 and will look to even the series with another home game. Here’s a complete preview for tonight’s game including Today’s Odds and NBA picks. The Jazz snuck by the Clippers in those two home games but the Clippers rallied in the third game, winning 132-106 with Donovan Mitchell aggravating a sore right ankle injury that had been lingering previously. Mitchell has already said he’s “good” for Game 4 and ready to go.
This was solid news for the Jazz with Mike Conley Jr. already missing all three games due to a hamstring strain. He’s questionable for Game 4 although it seems unlikely he plays much if he plays at all. The Jazz, when fully healthy, have one of the best offenses in the league. They average 118.8 points per 100 possessions and shoot an effective field goal percentage of 56.9 percent. On top of that, thanks to Rudy Gobert, the Jazz dominate the offensive glass and are also very aggressive and able to score points at the line.
In the first three games of the series, Michell has averaged 50.3 percent from the field and is scoring 37.3 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from long range. He admitted that he would have continued to play in Game 3 but with the score out of reach, Mitchell decided to stay on the bench and wait for the next game.
On the other hand, the Clippers fell down 2-0 in their first series against the Mavericks but ended up winning four of the next five games against Dallas to move on to this series. They’re not afraid of being down 2-0 and if they’re able to win tonight, things will be all tied up again. Still, the Jazz do have home court advantage if the series were to go seven games, but we don’t have to worry about that just yet.
Kawhi Leonard has led the Clippers in scoring throughout the playoffs but is averaging just 26 points in the West Semifinals so far. He had averaged 32.1 points in the series prior to this one. When Leonard is scoring, the Clippers are winning. In the two games the Clippers lost, Leonard added just 23 and 21 points in those two games. In the game the Clippers won, Lenard scored 34 points and took plenty more shots while holding a field goal percentage beyond 50 percent.
That’s what the Clippers will need out of Leonard. They need him to shoot over 50 percent, take nearly 25 shots, and they’ll also need him to help on the glass and limit fouls. If he’s able to do that, the Clippers will be well on their way to tying up this series against the Jazz.
Prediction
The Clippers were projected to be in the Western Conference finals against the Lakers to start the season. The Lakers are no longer around but teams like the Suns and Jazz stole the show, taking the first and second seeds. The Clippers still look like the best team on paper and despite falling 2-0 in back-to-back series, are still showing some life. When favorites are winning in the playoffs, they’re covering the spread by a wide margin for the most part. The Clippers will find a way and make this series tied at two a piece.
NBA Pick: Clippers -5 (-105) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
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