Here are The Game Day’s Jazz vs Clippers prediction and bet pick for the 2021 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Series. After our Jazz vs Clippers Round 2 series preview, check out our 2021 NBA Playoffs Power Rankings & our full 2021 NBA Playoffs Guide.
Jazz vs Clippers Prediction: 2021 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Bet Tips & Pick
Utah Jazz Round 1 Recap
The Utah Jazz didn’t have much trouble handling the Memphis Grizzles in Round 1. After losing Game 1 by three points without Donovan Mitchell, Utah stormed back to take the next four games, winning three by double digits. Mitchell’s return certainly helped, as he averaged a cool 28.5 points per game.
The Grizzlies were no match for the top-seeded Jazz, who held key advantages in playoff experience, size, and depth. Memphis was so outmatched defensively that Utah had the 2nd-highest offensive rating of the first round at 124.6 per Basketball-Reference — seven points higher than their regular-season rating.
Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 Recap
The Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round series unexpectedly went the distance against a tenacious Dallas Mavericks team. The away team won Games 1-6 before the Clippers finally prevailed on their home court in Game 7, overcoming a 46-point performance by Luka Dončić.
While the Clippers didn’t have an answer for Dončić, they had their own superstar in Kawhi Leonard. Leonard carried Los Angeles, averaging 32.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 points per game while shooting 61.2 percent from the floor. Paul George also played well, averaging 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game to help the Clippers advance.
Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Matchup
This matchup is extremely funky. The Clippers will be forced to play their bench big Ivica Zubac far more than usual due to the imposing presence of Rudy Gobert. This is not ideal for Los Angeles, as Zubac is limited offensively and creates more pressure for his teammates to score when he’s on the floor.
On the flip side, the Clippers’ ability to go small with their versatile wings and other bigs can force Utah to pull Gobert off the floor, which would benefit Los Angeles. Utah will also have to disrupt George and Leonard, who are two of the toughest players in the NBA to guard. Ultimately, this is a fairly even matchup that may come down to coaching and three-point luck.
Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
Los Angeles Clippers Win Series, 4-3
While the Jazz were the better regular-season team, the Clippers have the two best players in this series in Leonard and George. Utah has a great system that moves the ball around and defends hard at every position, but that won’t matter if the other team’s best players are more skilled than yours. Bojan Bogdanović and Joe Ingles will be hard-pressed to cover both Leonard and George despite Ingles’ reputation for blanketing George during his time in Oklahoma City.
That said, this series will be close. Utah has the size advantage with Gobert and superior guards with Mitchell, Mike Conley, Jr., and Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz are also better rested, but in the end the Clippers’ talent will ultimately win out.
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers Bet Pick
Los Angeles Clippers To Win Series (+115) at BetMGM
Utah is favored to win the series at (-140), but that’s a bit much for two teams that split their two most recent regular-season games. Getting the plus money with Los Angeles here is a steal considering how close these two teams are. This series will be a grind similar to the first round for the Clippers, but they are coming in with some momentum after playing Sunday while the Jazz have been resting since Wednesday.
The Clippers have also proven they can win on the road after taking all three games in Dallas, which should serve them well in a series where they won’t have home-court advantage. Accordingly, look for LA to take an early series lead and eventually win out against Utah.
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