The Utah Jazz haven’t played since last Wednesday when they dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers won a Game 7 over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Now the two defense-first Western Conference powerhouses face off in the second round.

Utah took two of three in the regular season and has homecourt advantage, which makes it a slight NBA betting favorite at the top sportsbooks. We all know, however, that Kawhi Leonard gears up for the playoffs.

Clippers vs. Jazz Series Odds

Odds via DraftKings and current as of publication.

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Clippers vs. Jazz Series Betting Tips

Stars Shining

The Clippers struggled to contain Donovan Mitchell in the final two matchups of the regular season; he scored 24 and 35 points. Mike Conley also poured in 33 in the first matchup. Conversely, Paul George had 25 in one matchup and Leonard had 29 in another. The other game: Neither played in a 114-96 Jazz win.

Each team has solid depth and multiple scoring options. Both teams had at least five players score eight-plus points in every matchup. But the leaders stepped up in Round 1. and that’s something to remember when looking at the NBA betting lines. Mitchell averaged 28.5 ppg, Leonard 32.1.

The Gobert Effect

Rudy Gobert is a 7-foot-1 shot-altering presence down low for the Jazz - and he can put the ball in the basket, too. Few teams can match up with the Frenchman, but the Clippers have shown the ability to limit him.

In three games vs. L.A., Gobert had a modest 12 points and nine rebounds in one, then exploded for 23 points and 20 boards in another and had eight points and 15 rebounds in the third. Which Gobert will show up this week?

If the opening round vs. Jonas Valanciunas was any indication (17.4 points, 13.0 rebounds), Gobert can be a big X-factor. The Clippers were great at limiting opposing guards, but the frontcourt was, at times, a different matter.

Point Guard Questions

Conley played all five Jazz first-round games but might not have featured in a Game 6 due to a pulled hamstring. He’s considered day-to-day. When Conley didn’t suit up, the Jazz were 15-6 with 12 of those wins by double figures.

Things are even cloudier for L.A. Patrick Beverley started the first two games - both losses to the Mavs - before he was put into the No. 3 spot behind Reggie Jackson and Rajon Rondo. Rondo (18.5 mpg, 4.6 ppg on 32% shooting) struggled. Jackson (15.4 ppg, 2.7 apg in 30 minutes) wasn’t spectacular but may be the best-playing of the bunch.

Check out the best NBA playoff predictions from the top handicappers, only at bookiesEDGE

Clippers vs. Jazz Series Pick

You can’t discount the two-star lineup of Leonard and George, and the NBA is a league of stars after all. In every other facet, however, one can argue Utah has the edge. Will it be enough?

To me, it will be, and Utah (-130 at DraftKings to win the series) is my pick. The Clippers have no good matchup for Gobert, especially with an ailing and aging Serge Ibaka, who missed the final five games vs. Dallas (back). Mitchell can negate one of the Clippers’ top stars, and Conley should have a good advantage over whoever L.A. throws in at PG.

Utah has the deepest bench in the NBA, including Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson. George’s postseason struggles have been well-documented.

Utah isn’t in the media spotlight the way other teams are. But it’s ranked No. 4 in scoring and No. 3 in defense, and cruised to the top seed in the brutally hard Western Conference. Its 31-5 home record could be the difference in the series.

Clippers vs. Jazz Series Schedule & TV

Game 1: Tuesday, June 8, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)

Game 2: Thursday, June 10, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Game 3: Saturday, June 12, 8.30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 4: Monday, June 14, TBD (TNT)

Games 5-7 if necessary