Clippers vs Jazz Prop Bets and Predictions: Westbrook’s struggles to continue?

• Can Collin Sexton step up to fill the void left by the Clippers starters?
• Will Russell Westbrook find his groove again now there are more stars out in LA?
• With a strong defense facing an injured-wracked offense: Does the Over have any chance at all?

Get ready for an exciting Friday night showdown as the Clippers and Jazz gear up to notch another victory for their respective franchises in Utah, with the game airing live on ESPN. Despite not currently leading the Western Conference, both teams are hungry for success, especially the Clippers, who have their eyes set on a championship.

The Clippers, with a season record of 9-10 and a somewhat struggling 7-12 Against The Spread (ATS), are eager to kick off a much-needed winning streak. Since the high-profile acquisition of James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, the team has experienced a rollercoaster ride, going 6-8 straight up and 4-10 ATS, alternating between wins and losses in their last seven games.

On the other hand, the Jazz find themselves in the 12th spot in the Western Conference with a 7-14 straight-up record. However, their ATS performance is commendable at 11-10. Interestingly, Utah’s performance drastically differs depending on the venue. At home, they boast an impressive 6-4 straight-up record and an 8-2 ATS record. Contrastingly, on the road, the Jazz have clinched just one victory out of ten games and covered only three of those ten spreads.

Fresh off their second-ever franchise loss by a margin of 50 points or more, the Jazz are determined to make a triumphant comeback. This matchup marks the second meeting between these two teams this season, with the Jazz causing an upset by defeating the Clippers 120-118 as home underdogs on October 27. Anticipate an intense game filled with redemption and a fierce battle for dominance on the court.

Clippers vs Jazz information

Clippers vs Jazz Player Prop: Collin Sexton o13.5 points

In the midst of a barrage of injuries to key players, Collin Sexton emerges as a must-play, capitalizing on the unique situation he finds himself in. The Jazz, grappling with the absence of their star player Lauri Markkanen, sidelined with a hamstring injury since November 22, and Jordan Clarkson, who has been out with a thigh contusion since November 29, face a significant void in usage. Combining Clarkson’s 26% usage rate with Markkanen’s 24%, a whopping 50% usage is up for grabs within the Jazz team.

In the last three games without these star players, Collin Sexton has stepped up, elevating his usage to 24%, ranking second only to rookie point guard Keyonte George.

Sexton’s recent performances have been noteworthy, scoring 14 points or more in two of his last three matchups and five of his last nine games. The upcoming game presents another excellent opportunity for Sexton to shine. Particularly impressive is his recent achievement of scoring 25 points against the defensively strong Portland Trailblazers, shooting an impressive 9/13 in that matchup.

Examining some of Sexton’s previous matchups against the Clippers reveals his ability to perform under pressure. Earlier this season, he posted 13 points on 12 shot attempts, showcasing his attacking style and ability to put pressure on the defense by not settling for jumpers but driving to the rim.

Adding intrigue to the scenario is the Jazz’s recent setback, marking the franchise’s second-worst loss in its history. Head coach Will Hardy called out Sexton and his teammates for lacking defensive intensity and focus on the offensive end. With the team likely to be more motivated after a humbling defeat by 50 points against the Mavericks, Sexton is poised for a strong comeback.

In the last game, he finished with only seven points and no field goals, making it all the more likely for him to bounce back strongly in this matchup. As the Clippers visit Utah, a team they have struggled against with only one win in eight attempts since the start of the 2020 season, betting on Sexton becomes even more enticing. Expect a determined Sexton to lead his team in a high-stakes head-to-head battle against the Clippers.

Clippers vs Jazz Player Prop: Russell Westbrook u0.5 3pt shots made

Russell Westbrook, known for his illustrious career marked by rollercoaster ups and downs, has experienced a whirlwind of changes in recent years, transitioning through several teams. Despite the challenges, Westbrook continues to bring maximum effort to the court, delivering hard-nosed, high-energy basketball that captivates fans. In his second season with the Clippers, Westbrook has embraced a new role, willingly coming off the bench.

This shift coincides with the team’s adjustment to the addition of James Harden, acquired just over a month ago from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Over the course of 15 games, the Clippers have been grappling with defining the starting point guard role, particularly challenging with two ball-dominant guards. Westbrook, rumored to have volunteered for backup point guard duties, finds himself in the second rotation.

Playing with the second unit, Westbrook has encountered challenges in finding his rhythm, particularly in his shooting. In the 15 games since acquiring Harden, Westbrook has made only seven three-pointers out of 35 attempts, resulting in a 20% success rate from deep. A closer look reveals that, since coming off the bench and having his minutes limited, Westbrook has managed to make one or more three-pointers in only two of his team’s games.

Adding to the complexity, Friday’s game will be played on the road, where Westbrook has yet to make a three-pointer in eight attempts since his transition to the bench role. Reflecting on the Clippers’ previous encounter with the Utah Jazz earlier this season, Westbrook struggled from distance, attempting just one three-point field goal.

Westbrook’s role has evolved with the presence of star players like Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden, leading to a reduced emphasis on three-point shooting. Instead, he adopts a slasher role, applying pressure on the rim while facilitating plays when faced with double defenders.

As evidenced by the declining number of three-point attempts, Westbrook’s game has shifted. Utah, motivated by their recent defensive lapse in conceding 147 points to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, will likely bring their A-game defensively in this matchup against Westbrook and the Clippers.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz prop bets: Total under

Throughout the season, the Clippers have consistently proven to be a strong under play with an impressive record of 11-6-2 (65%). Despite the anticipation of higher-scoring games following the acquisition of James Harden, the reality has been quite the opposite. In the 14 games featuring Harden with the Clippers, they boast a remarkable 10-3-1 record to the under (76%), with game totals averaging just 219 points.

Surprisingly, it’s the Clippers’ defense that has shone, keeping them competitive as their offense has faced challenges. Since adding Harden, the team’s offense has ranked in the bottom ten in the league, while their defense has managed to secure a spot in the top ten. Additionally, the Clippers have transformed into one of the slower-paced teams, now ranking 22nd in pace since Harden joined the roster.

Scoring has been a struggle for the Jazz as well, evident in their offensive rating of just 109.8 over the last 14 games, making them the fourth-worst offensive team in the league. The absence of key scorers Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, coupled with injuries, explains the recent dip in offensive production for the Jazz.

Defensively, there’s a significant disparity between their performance on the road and at home. On the road, the Jazz possess the third-worst defensive rating among all 30 teams, trailing only the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets. However, at Delta Center, the venue for Friday’s game, the Jazz boast a league-average defense. Additionally, the Jazz do not fall within the top half of the league in terms of pace, a factor that supports the likelihood of the total staying under.

Notably, the Jazz are coming off their second worst loss in franchise history, a 147-97 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. After such an embarrassing performance, it’s expected that the Jazz will showcase one of their best defensive efforts in the upcoming game. Considering these factors, a confident decision is made to take the under in this matchup.

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