Ricky Dimon
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We have an eight-game slate in the NBA to kick off the weekend, and it is headlined by a double-header on ESPN. The duo starts with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Chicago Bulls prior to this showdown between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Jazz-Clippers, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Jazz -5.5 (+126)
Under 225 (-106)
Rudy Gobert to score 20+ points (+310)
Rudy Gobert to record 16+ rebounds (+205)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here. We feel good about Utah’s chances to take care of business, and Rudy Gobert once again being dominant would obviously go a long way in that effort. Don’t be surprised if the Jazz defense forces L.A. to throw up brick after brick, which would lead to more rebounds for Gobert and fewer total points being scored.
Jazz -5.5 (+126)
Can anyone stop the Utah Jazz these days? The Clippers certainly couldn’t on Wednesday night. That was also played at the Staples Center and Utah still had no getting the job done in the form of a 114-96 beatdown. It certainly helped the visitors that Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Luke Kennard, and Nicolas Batum of L.A. all missed that contest. All four are still listed as day-to-day, so Friday’s game is a bit of a wild card at the moment. If none take the court, of course, this will be another Utah blowout. Even if some or all of them do suit up, there is still no reason why the Jazz can’t prevail. They are quite simply the best team in basketball at the moment.
Under 225 (-106)
The first leg on Wednesday comfortably stayed under the total (only 210 total points were scored) and the rematch may not be much different regardless of the personnel on display. If the aforementioned Los Angeles players remain out, this juggernaut Utah defense should be able to put the clamps down once again and hold the home team under 100 points. Even if some or all of them are good to go, the likes of Leonard and George will also give the Clippers a boost on defense. Each one of these clubs is in the top five of the NBA defensively, in the top 10 in opponent fast-break points per game, and in the top 10 in opponents’ three-point percentage and threes made.
Rudy Gobert to score 20+ points (+310)
Prop bets on L.A. players are understandably off the board given the uncertainty surrounding Friday’s lineup. As such, there is not a whole lot to choose from. However, another dominant performance by Gobert obviously correlates nicely with our Jazz -5.5 pick and there we will stay on the Gobert bandwagon. Utah’s star big man went for 23 points during Wednesday’ win, shooting 8-for-12 from the field and going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. The Clippers are in the top 10 in the NBA in three-point defense but they are in the bottom half in paint points allowed per game. This is a matchup in which Utah will feature its center on offense.
Rudy Gobert to record 16+ rebounds (+205)
Gobert not only delivered 23 points in the first game, but he also corralled 20 boards (15 of the defensive variety and five at the offensive end of the floor). The Frenchman is third in the association in rebounding at 13.4 rpg. Given his current form and the likelihood of Utah forcing a potentially depleted L.A. team into a whole bunch of missed shots, there is no reason why Gobert can’t grab a few more than his average.
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