Lakers vs Jazz Prediction
Lakers vs Jazz Prediction: Fifth place Los Angeles Lakers will host the first place Utah Jazz. This is the second consecutive matchup between these teams. The Lakers took the win in the last matchup 127-115.
The Lakers rested Lebrons James and Anthony Davis for the last game and the Jazz rested Rudy Gobert, Mike Conely, and Derrick Favors. Andre Drummond led the lakers to their win scoring 27 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.
The series between both teams is 1-1 in the regular season. Coach Quin Snyder will be adding Gobert, Conely, and Favor to the starting lineup for this matchup but the Jazz will be missing superstar Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle injury.
The Lakers have been without Lebron and AD for 15 games so far. They have a record of 7-8 without their two best players and have been without Kuzma and Drummond on some nights.
Projected Lineups
Jazz: Mike Conely (PG), Jordan Clarkson (SG), Bojan Bodanovic (SF), Royce O’neal (PF), Rudy Gobert (C)
Lakers: Dennis Schroder (PG), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG), Kylr Kuzma (SF), Markieff Morris (PF), Andre Drummond (C)
Mike Conely is having a solid campaign with the Utah Jazz this season. He is averaging 16.4 points per game and 5.7 assists. He also has a shooting split of 45/42/85.
Lakers Dennis Schroder has done well for LA. Schroder is averaging 15.4 points per game and 5.5 assists during his first year with the Lakers. He is a perfect addition to the Lakers backcourt and has averaged 17 points and eight assists without Lebron or Davis in the Last 15 games.
Jordan Clarkson has been great coming off the Utah bench averaging 17.4 points while shooting 42% from the field and 35% behind the arc. He is also leading the league in free throw percentage with 94.6%.
Andre Drummond is averaging 16.5 points and 12.6 rebounds and was against the Jazz in their last matchup. He has only been with the Lakers for six games and is averaging around 24 minutes per game.
Rudy Gobert is expected to start in Monday’s matchup and his presence on the floor will be a big impact for the Jazz.
Gobert is a top candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award putting up 14.4 points,13.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. He leads the NBA in defensive rating and defensive win shares.
Prediction
Even though the Lakers won the last matchup the Jazz are expected to win this with the addition of Rudy Gobert.
