Jazz vs. Clippers Prediction: Game 3 Picks, Odds & Betting

Jazz vs. Clippers Prediction - Game 3

The biggest game of the playoffs so far takes place on Saturday night. An overstatement? Maybe not.

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers

For a brief moment in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers looked like the title favorite many considered them upon beating Dallas last weekend.

With under seven minutes to go, thanks to a 3-pointer from the rejuvenated Reggie Jackson, LA had a 2-point lead. It looked like they might steal one on the road, and put themselves in position to take the series, and likely be favored in the Western Conference Finals.

It wasn’t to be. About three and a half minutes later, following a 14-2 run, it was back to a double-digit lead for the home team, and eventually a 6-point win.

Which brings us to Game 3. There is no feeling that the series is over, especially after the Clippers rallied from being down 2-0 against the Mavericks, and with the firepower LA brings, we know it’s possible again. They were the best 3-point shooting team in the regular season and still have as high a defensive ceiling as any team remaining in the playoffs.

But the buffer is gone. The odds-makers feel strongly about LA’s chances here, marking them down as a favorite of greater than a single possession. That’s probably wise. Donovan Mitchell couldn’t be contained over the last two games, but he’s proven to be a different player in Utah. At home this season, Mitchell shot over 45 percent from the field and over 40 percent from deep. On the road, those numbers sunk to 42 and 36 percent.

The same goes for the Jazz overall, who carried a positive 12.9 home net rating versus a more pedestrian 5.2 number on the road, which was the largest such discrepancy of any contender.

But that road number was also the best in basketball, and the drop off is a testament to their home dominance more than any road struggles.

It makes a Clippers pick more than queasy, but LA ultimately has to be the choice because of one player: Kawhi Leonard. He’s averaging a pedestrian 22 points per game in this series thus far, but this is the same guy who has averaged over 30 in his previous 39 playoff games stretching over six series. All of those have gone at least six games.

He’ll be ready, and that’s a scary thought for Utah. LA may still go down, but it won’t be without a fight.

Jazz vs. Clippers Pick

The Pick: Clippers -4.5 @ -105

Jazz vs. Clippers Odds

Jazz vs. Clippers Moneyline Odds

• Utah Jazz to win @ +175
• Los Angeles Clippers to win @ -190

Jazz vs. Clippers Point Spread Odds

• Utah Jazz +4.5 @ -108
• Los Angeles Clippers -4.5 @ -105

Jazz vs. Clippers Over/Under Odds

• Over 223.5 @ -105
• Under 223.5 @ -110

Expert Jazz vs. Clippers Predictions

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