Looking to keep hold of the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz take on the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Staples Center. Don't miss the action. Below is everything you need, including the live stream link, betting line, TV schedule, a preview and prediction.
Game Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV Channels: TWC SN or TWC D / ROOT
Live Stream: NBA League Pass ($6.99 for individual games)
Potential Free Live Stream: Stream2U
Betting Line: -3.5 Utah; 191.5 O/U
There are a lot of injuries and resting players in this one, as the Lakers have Kobe Bryant, Brandon Bass and D'Angelo Russell ruled out, while the Jazz have Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood questionable with Alec Burks ruled out.
That said, the Lakers have been thriving off of the play of Lou Williams lately, who's coming off a career-high 44 points. He's shooting 50 percent over the last six contests and is averaging 24.5 points per game during that time.
Attempting to match him bucket for bucket today will be Jazz forward Gordon Heyward, who's been outstanding once more for Utah. He's leading a team that has playoff aspirations, and doing so by being the all-around player and leader that he is. Heyward is averaging 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, and is coming off of a 34-point game as they blew out the Miami Heat, 98-83.
Utah has been a brutal 5-12 on the road, however, I just don't think the Lakers have enough offensive firepower to keep up in this one with several key players out.
Williams will certainly do what he can. As will guys like Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young, but they're just not that decent of a team. Barring a complete meltdown by the Jazz, this should be a solid win by a comfortable margin.
Prediction: Jazz 95, Lakers 86
