LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz (Game 1) Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks, Point Spread

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How to Watch LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz

Head-to-Head: LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz

LAC: Control Utah’s Scoring

The LA Clippers are supposed to be a strong defensive side, but they’ll have their work cut out for them when they face off against the Utah Jazz.

In the first round the Jazz averaged 123.4 points per game, off the back of having six different double-digit scorers.

The Clippers had it easy in terms of team defence in the first round, as Luka Doncic was their only true individual threat. The Jazz’s egalitarian offence will challenge LA’s defence in a new way.

Clippers Key Player: (F) Kawhi Leonard

KAWHI LEONARD GOING OFF WITH THE SEASON ON THE LINE ? pic.twitter.com/cy2MeGC6B0

— ESPN (@espn) June 5, 2021

With their backs against the wall, the LA Clippers fell back on the brilliance of two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to send them to the second round.

Leonard was brilliant in seven games against the Mavericks. He averaged 32.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steal on 61% shooting from the field and 42.5% from three.

Head coach Tyronn Lue certainly wants more support for Leonard from the Clippers’ reserves. However, at his efficiency rate, it’s difficult to keep him out of the game for any extended period of time.

UTA: Find LA’s Stars

The Utah Jazz had a little issue in their first-round series against the Grizzlies, except for their ability to contain Memphis’ perimeter stars. The Jazz will see an upgrade to that challenge in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

The pair combined to average 55.7 points per game on a combined average of 53.7% shooting from the field.

When the Clippers’ stars get going early, they are tough to stop. It’ll be up to Utah’s squad of wing defenders to slow them down, in order to keep pace with their own offence.

Jazz Key Player: (G) Donovan Mitchell

JUST STOP IT, DONOVAN MITCHELL! ?

26 PTS at halftime for ?️ on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/lrjef5oqno

— NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2021

It took just five games for the Utah Jazz to overcome the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round series. Once Donovan Mitchell returned to the fold, Utah didn’t lose a game.

In four games in the Jazz’ first-round series, Mitchell averaged 28.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

Mitchell’s scoring ability is crucial to the Jazz’s success. He’s also a solid distributor, able to punish the Clippers when they held onto him. Mitchell will, without a doubt, be the Jazz’s most important piece in beating the Clippers.