NBA
Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Wednesday 12th February 2025 Start time: 19:30 local time (04:30 BST) Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles There are thrilling basketball betting opportunities to explore when the Los Angeles Lakers play Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, 12 February 2025. Want the best NBA betting strategies for this match? SportsBoom’s NBA betting experts have researched the leading NBA betting sites. For a detailed look at the match, be sure to check out our full preview.
LeBron James//Getty Images
As of the 14th of January, the home team is looking good for a place in the NBA playoffs. They sit in 6th place on the Western Conference table with 20 wins and 16 losses. Meanwhile, Utah Jazz look like easy points at the moment. They occupy 14th position with ten wins and 28 defeats.
The 17-time NBA champions have won three matches in a row against the Utah Jazz. However, the most recent meeting between the teams ended in a one point victory for the Los Angeles Lakers (105-104). A match against the Los Angeles Lakers will make Utah Jazz raise their game. They know that if they are slightly off their game, the match could end in a blowout and they don’t need much motivation to step it up for a match against the second-most successful team in the history of the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers have won 17 NBA championship titles. This makes them the second most successful team behind the Boston Celtics in NBA history.
PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBABILITY: LOS ANGELES LAKERS FAVOURITES
Home: 4/23 (1.17) - 85%
Away: 17/4 (5.25) - 19%
*Forecast odds - betting available on Betway closer to the event.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Five Meetings (NBA)
02/12/24: Los Angeles Lakers 105-104 Utah Jazz
20/11/24: Utah Jazz 118-124 Los Angeles Lakers
15/02/24: Los Angeles Lakers 138-122 Utah Jazz
14/01/24: Los Angeles Lakers 125-132 Utah Jazz
22/11/23: Utah Jazz 99-131 Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: CURRENT FORM - LLWWL
The home team head into this game on the back of a two-match losing streak. They were beaten 97-118 by the Dallas Mavericks on 07 January. Before this match, they lost 115-119 against the Houston Rockets. They did come out on top with a 102-119 victory against the Atlanta Hawks, and they beat the Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles Lakers also lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be playing for something much bigger than even the game. With wildfires causing deaths and destruction in California, both teams have the opportunity to bring the USA nation and the world together in the face of a disaster.
It will be interesting to see how the players approach this game. This game will be fueled with plenty of emotion. Los Angeles Lakers had some matches postponed as a result of the wildfires and they will enjoy playing this game at home.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Austin Reaves: The shooting guard has scored 18.3 points per game throughout the season. He is good at shooting and defending. Austin Reaves does not have many weaknesses which makes him such a tough opponent.
- Rui Hachimura: The power forward embodies exactly what the NBA is all about. Get your camera out when this player has the ball. It’s lights, camera, slam dunk. It’s flair but NBA type flair with American attitude. He has to try the spectacular at every moment.
- Max Christie: The shooting guard is an offensive type of player. Max Christie is a capable points scorer. He is also a man with a plan and enjoys the big games.
UTAH JAZZ: CURRENT FORM - WLLLW
The team from Salt Lake City have only managed to win two out of their last five matches. They beat the Brooklyn Nets 112-111 on the 12th of January. Before this game, the pressure for a victory was increasing after suffering three defeats in succession which included a 114-106 defeat against Phoenix Suns. Utah Jazz need to show that they belong in the NBA and there is no better way to show this than with a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Lauri Markkanen: If you score 15 points, I will score 20 points! This is the type of player that Lauri Markkanen is. He focuses on the team and doesn’t pay much attention to the opposition. He is the type of player that says throw me the ball and let me write my own script.
- Collin Sexton: He plays with passion and is known for scoring. Collin Sexton is also good at rebounds. He will be looking for some blockbuster basketball scores in this game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Walker Kessler: The center is often seen in team huddles - giving his side instructions and plotting the route to victory. Walker Kessler will be looking to inspire Utah Jazz to glory at the theatre of Crypto.com Arena.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Los Angeles Lakers Line-up
- Point Guard: Austin Reaves
- Shooting Guard: Max Christie
- Small Forward: LeBron James
- Power Forward: Rui Hachimura
- Center: Anthony Davis
Utah Jazz Line-up
- Point Guard: Collin Sexton
- Guard: Johnny Juzang
- Guard: Isaiah Collier
- Power Forward: Lauri Markkanen
- Center: Walker Kessler
SUGGESTED BETS
Have a look at SportsBoom’s NBA betting insights and NBA betting tips with reliable bookmakers for betting.
Total Points Over 224.5: Three out of the last five matches played between Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz have produced over 224.5 points.
Winning Margin (Including Overtime) - Los Angeles Lakers by 6-10: The last game was closely contested. We believe that this match will also be a tough game for both teams. We’re backing the Los Angeles Lakers to win by 6-10.
2nd Quarter - Winning Margin (Los Angeles Lakers by 3+): Both teams will find their rhythm in the 1st quarter. We believe that this game will come to life in the second quarter. The Los Angeles Lakers will win the 2nd quarter by 3+.
VALUE BETS
Anthony Davis - 25+ points: The power forward has 25.8 points per game throughout the season. This stat gives us confidence that he will score over 25 points in this game.
LeBron James - 25+ points: The four-time NBA winner is always a good bet. He is still one of the best basketball players in the world. We think that LeBron James will score over 25 points in this match.
PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS TO WIN
After looking at every single NBA stats for betting, and also researching the best betting sites for the NBA, SportsBoom believes that there will be plenty of excitement and entertainment with both teams going all out for the victory. However, the Los Angeles Lakers will win this game.
Josh has over ten years of experience as a Sports Writer. Josh has created content for some of the biggest sports brands and publications in South Africa. Josh is a creative writer who puts you in the game with his unique content. Josh writes about Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball, Darts, Golf, and all major sports.
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