Jazz Lakers Betting Series – Bruised Jazz Can’t Come Back
The Los Angeles Lakers have a two-game lead on the Utah Jazz and if it looks like the Jazz are dead in the water, it is because they are. They aren’t good enough to beat the Lakers when they are healthy and right now, NBA betting fans know they aren’t even healthy to compete.
The Story
Jerry Sloan is again facing Phil Jackson and as per usual, he’s probably going to get the short end of the stick. The Jazz surprised the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs but at this point, it looks more like that was Denver’s collapse than it was Utah’s success – or at least a combination.
Online betting fans know that the Lakers had to fight to get by the Oklahoma City Thunder but the Thunder may have been the best team that they’ll face in the West all the way up until the Finals.
With the Lakers holding a 2-0 lead already, this will be an easy series for them.
Jazz vs Lakers: Better Starters?
The Jazz have some excellent starters in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, but they really lack outside of that. Center Mehmet Okur tore his ACL in the first round while forward Andrei Kirilenko has been out since early March. Wesley Matthews is an impressive rookie and C.J. Miles is ok, but Kyrylo Fesenko is a huge weakness.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have plenty of experience in Derek Fisher, they have the superstars in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, and they get good efforts from Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum. The Lakers have the length and size that the Jazz simply can’t answer. That’s the difference right now.
Edge: Lakers
Jazz vs Lakers: Better Bench?
Once again, the Lakers have the edge here. With a player like Lamar Odom coming of the bench, the Jazz really can’t counter.
Paul Millsap is a stellar bench player but considering Okur is out, Millsap is really a starter. Kyle Korver helps off the Jazz bench but he is a really one-dimensional player and he doesn’t do much on the defensive end.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton. They are too deep and versatile for he Jazz.
Edge: Lakers
Jazz vs Lakers: X-Factor?
The x-factor here would have to be an injury of some sort to the Lakers. The Jazz are already without Okur and sports betting fans know that Williams is playing with a sore left elbow. On top of that, the Jazz aren’t even good enough at full strength.
For the Lakers, they just need to win one road game and it’s over. If not, then their x-factor is to simply protect home court, which they have done a great job of in the playoffs.
Who’s Gonna Win?
The Lakers. Period.
The Jazz are beaten up and they aren’t strong enough at full strength. The Lakers size inside is a problem and so is the two-game deficit.
If the Jazz can’t win their two contests at home, this will be a five-game series – or less. If they can, this will maybe last six or seven games.
