Lakers @ Jazz Betting Odds – Jazz will push win streak to ten

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to extend a two game win streak without the help of Kobe Bryant when they face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.  Utah has won 13 of its last 14 games heading into their game against the Clippers on Tuesday night and has not lost at home since January 4.

The Storyline – Lakers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown 
The Lakers are leading the Western Conference by 5 games and with just two losses in their last nine games; they do not look like they are slowing down. Their injuries have not hurt them yet with wins against Portland and San Antonio but now they are going up against a big and physical Utah team that is one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

Offensive Matchups – Lakers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown 
 Those doing sports betting should know Los Angeles has not lost its step in their past two games without Kobe as Pau Gasol racked up 19 points, 19 boards, eight assists and five blocks to lead the Lakers over the Spurs in their last game. Other players have also stepped up in Kobe’s absence with Ron Artest scoring seven points per game over his average and Lamar Odom bringing in 32 boards in the last two games. It is inevitable that they will miss Kobe’s 28 points and 4.7 assists a game but as of yet it has not happened.

With their powerful inside game, the Jazz lead the league shooting 49.3 percent from the floor led by Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap who are combining for over 30 points a game from the power forward position. While they handle the inside, Deron Williams runs the show from the outside, averaging 19 points and 9.7 assists a game. In the two games against the Lakers, Williams put up 38 points and 19 assists and should have another solid game.  

Betting Edge: Lakers

Defensive Matchups – Lakers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown 
The Lakers are allowing a miniscule 96 points a game and holding teams to just 43 percent shooting from the floor. They are also disciplined in giving away the second lowest number of free throws, just 22 per game. This however is with Kobe and Will Bynum in the line-up, their steal and block leaders. Pau Gasol will have to deal with Boozer and Millsap all game and might have trouble with their physicality.

The Jazz are a strong team that only allows 97.5 points a game and are one of the better teams forcing over 14 turnovers a game. They are long and mobile and challenge shots leading to opposing teams shooting just 44 percent from the floor. Missing offensive weapons, the Lakers will be hard pressed to score points against this Utah team.

Betting Edge: Jazz

Notable Injuries – Lakers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown 
Kobe’s broken index finger on his shooting hand was something that he had been able to play through, his sprained ankle is not. The Lakers as the team leader in points, assists, steals, free throws and minutes this season is expected to miss the game and is questionable for the All Star game as well. The Lakers will likely also be without Andrew Bynum for the second straight game with a bruised hip.

The Jazz are back and healthy after Carlos Boozer returned after missing three games, due to a calf strain, with a 19 point and 13 board performance

Betting Edge: Jazz

Betting Prediction – Lakers vs Jazz betting odds breakdown 
The experts doing the sportsbook know the Jazz are riding a 10-game home winning streak and are 22-6 in the Energy Solutions Arena this year. The injuries to Bynum and Bryant will be too much for the Lakers to overcome again and Gasol will not be able to contain the physical games of the Boozer and Millsap tag-team. Look for the trend of home team victories to continue. 

Pick: Jazz