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NBA Game Previews: Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers

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Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers

This is undoubtedly a historic game for NBA fans everywhere. Yes, it’s the end of a legendary career of one of basketball’s greats: Kobe Bryant. Nobody would argue that Bryant deserves his spot among other players like Magic Johnson, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neil and Wilt Chamberlain (21 Lakers have been drafted into the Hall of Fame). Over the span of his career, the Mamba has won the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2008, won NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010, made 15 All-Star appearances and is the Laker’s all-time leading scorer.

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers

  • Time: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 10:30 PM ET
  • Place: STAPLES Center
  • Betting Line: Jazz -5
  • Total 194

Bet on the Jazz

Regardless of this being Bryant’s last game, the Jazz still must focus on making it to the postseason. And, in order for them to do this, they have to win this game.

They’ll have to muster all the focus necessary to get through all the fanfare and attention placed on Kobe, which means they need to play some good basketball to lessen the noise in Staples Center. The onus will fall on Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood to put up as many points as they can.

Hayward, leads the Jazz in scoring with an average of 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 40 road games. Meanwhile, Hood averages 14.1 points, 3.3 boards and 3.0 dimes in almost the same amount of games. Last month, Hood managed to put up a game-high of 30 points against the Lakers.

It’s not in scoring that the Jazz might be liable, but in defense. Big man Rudy Gobert is on the injured list and this hampers the Jazz’s ability to defend in the paint. It’ll fall on the shoulders of Lyles and Favors to grab rebounds and shut down the Lakers in the paint.

Bet on the Lakers

Not only will be the close of a historic career, on the flip side it’ll also be the close of possibly the worst Lakers’ season in quite some time.

Though everyone is rooting for Kobe to close his career with a bang, the Lakers need to focus on winning this game regardless that they won’t pass through to the playoffs. And, to win this game, the Lakers might have to rely on Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

Whatever the case, it’s Bryant’s opportunity to show he’s still got a little bit of gas left in him to delight his fans to a show they will not soon forget.

Betting Trends:

  • Utah is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Utah's last 16 games
  • Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
  • LA Lakers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Utah
  • LA Lakers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Utah
  • LA Lakers is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Utah

Betting Predictions: This is too important of a game for the Jazz to lose. The final playoff spot in the Western Conference is at stake and they’ll end up winning this game.

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