Utah vs Clippers: This is where the Jazz will start their troubles

Utah won the first game of the series against the LA Clippers. That said, the series will not end in four or maybe six games. How will the second episode of the clash play out? Let’s pick a few bets at once.

The first game of the second-round series matched this playoff run for the Jazz. Quin Snyder's team threw 50 three-pointers for the LA Clippers! In 5 games in the first round against Memphis, Utah had made over 200 three-pointers. The conversion rate was above 40%, which was a factor in the early success, in 5 games.

The Grizzlies never found an antidote to the Jazz attack. Will the Clippers succeed? In the first game, it had to be said, it was close. The Clippers responded to their opponent’s three-pointers with three of their own! The final margin, 112-109 in favour of the Jazz, came from a one-shot advantage. 17 of 50 for Utah and 16 of 42 for the LAC.

Personally, of course, Donovan Mitchell is worth highlighting on the Jazz’s roster. The guard showed the highest level of play on offence, scoring 45 points. The Clippers figured out how to stop Luka Doncic as the series with Dallas progressed. How about Mitchell?

The series against the Mavs proves this point. The Clippers lost their first 2 games there, also on home court. However, they won 4 out of the remaining 5 games. Moreover, they won the 6th and 7th games in a very confident manner, conceding just 97 points in the penultimate game and finishing with +15 in the decisive game.

Tyrone Liu’s team should not be underestimated. The offensive potential of the LAC is huge, considering, for example, that two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo is coming off the bench. But as it turns out, the Clippers’ defence can also play at the top level. Against Dallas, Liu found the optimal combination, where everyone can trade for everyone with almost no harm to the team’s efficiency.

No matter how good Donovan Mitchell was in the first game, it allowed only 3 points to win the game. As for the rest, Utah’s rotation was unconvincing, even with Conley back, it would be a little stronger than Dallas’s. Also, the Jazz have a lot riding on their three-point offence and the Clippers have a lot to answer for. The Californians themselves are a pretty good shooter from afar, and they can be incredibly powerful on defence. Utah might have trouble at key points in the series. They will likely start already in the second game. We predict that Los Angeles will tie the series.

• Clippers to win with a handicap (+3.0) with an odds of about 1.96;
• Clippers to win at 2.25;
• Utah’s Individual Total Under 112.5 for 1.80.