This may potentially be a preview of the first round match up for the Western Conference playoffs. The Utah Jazz (37-18) hosts the LA Lakers (31-25) in what promises to be an explosive game. In the tough Western Conference, home court may be an advantage to progress to the next round, especially if the series go to 7 games. With about 30 games remaining, serious teams will start making their push now.
In the past 10 home games against the Lakers, Utah has a 7-3 record. On the ATS, Utah also have a 7-3 record at home against LA. In their past 10 games, Utah is 8-2 while the Lakers are 3-7. This season, the Jazz are 22-6 at home while the Lakers are 11-16 on the road. LA just completed a horrible Eastern road trip.
The Jazz is missing Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko. In the absence of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur had carried the Jazz to some memorable victories. Now, Boozer will be available to boost the Jazz again. Kirilenko is a leading contributor off the bench so it will be interesting to see how Jerry Sloan adapts to these absences. The Lakers are having serious injury problems. Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Smush Parker, Vladimir Radmanovic and Luke Walton are all injured. This has caused tremendous problems for the Lakers because they rely much on the triangle offence but without the necessary players, the Lakers have been very ordinary. Even Kobe Bryant is insufficient. He loves to play against Utah when he single handedly dismantled them. However, it will take more than just Kobe to beat the Jazz. They are a deep team.
This will be a close game. Take the Lakers at (+6.5) Handicap offered at Bodog.

