This Western Conference matchup features the Los Angeles Clippers, who are showing signs of resurgence with a strong recent run, traveling to face a struggling Utah Jazz team that continues to battle injuries and inconsistency. The Clippers’ veteran core could exploit Utah’s defensive vulnerabilities in what shapes up as a favorable road spot for L.A. despite the altitude challenge at Delta Center.
Event Details
Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM PT)
Broadcast/Streaming: Likely local networks (Bally Sports West for Clippers, KJZZ/AT&T SportsNet for Jazz), NBA League Pass
Injury Report
Los Angeles Clippers:
Kawhi Leonard (SF): Questionable (Left knee contusion)
Bradley Beal (SG): Out (Hip fracture)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF): Out (Right knee)
Chris Paul (PG): Questionable (Undisclosed)
Others: Bogdan Bogdanovic (GTD hamstring), Kris Dunn (GTD ankle), TyTy Washington Jr. (GTD hamstring)
The Clippers are managing multiple concerns in the backcourt and frontcourt, but their core (if Leonard plays) remains potent.
Utah Jazz:
Lauri Markkanen (PF): Questionable (Illness)
Kevin Love (PF): Questionable (Left knee contusion)
Georges Niang (SF): Questionable (Foot)
Walker Kessler (C): Out (Shoulder bursitis)
Jusuf Nurkic (C): Questionable (Illness)
Keyonte George (SG): Questionable (Rest)
Others: Elijah Harkless (Out hamstring)
Utah is heavily impacted, particularly in the frontcourt, which could limit rebounding and interior defense.
Key Player Matchups
Guard Play: Clippers’ James Harden (playmaking, scoring) vs. Jazz’s backcourt (if George plays; otherwise backups). Harden’s vision and shooting should exploit Utah’s perimeter defense.
Wing/Forward Battle: Kawhi Leonard (if active; elite two-way play) vs. Lauri Markkanen (if available; scoring threat). If both play, this becomes a key scoring vs. defense duel. Clippers’ depth (e.g., Ivica Zubac inside) could dominate if Markkanen/Kessler limited.
Frontcourt: Clippers’ Zubac (rebounding) vs. Jazz’s depleted bigs (Nurkic GTD). Utah’s rebounding suffers without Kessler.
Key X-Factor: Clippers’ veteran experience and recent offensive surge vs. Jazz’s home altitude advantage. If Leonard plays, L.A. gains major edge; Utah needs Markkanen for spacing and scoring.
Recent Team Form
Clippers: Strong momentum with 8-2 record in last 10 games. Dominated Brooklyn Nets 126-89 on January 25, 2026 (led by 38 points at half). Offense averages 112.6 PPG (mid-tier), defense solid (113 allowed, top-10). Road struggles persist but recent wins show resilience.
Jazz: Struggling with 3-7 in last 10. Heavy loss to Miami Heat 147-116 on January 24; prior defeat to San Antonio Spurs 126-109 on January 22. Poor defense (127.8 PPG allowed, league-worst), offense decent (~119 PPG, top-10) but unsustainable without health.
Series History
Clippers hold recent edge (7-3 in last 10 meetings, 6-4 ATS). Clippers 5-1 SU in last 6 vs. Jazz; total OVER in 4 of last 5. Jazz have covered in home games vs. Clippers recently (7-1 ATS in last 8), but Clippers dominate when healthy. Games often high-scoring due to Utah’s pace.
Betting Trends
Clippers strong ATS (14-4 in last 18); total OVER in 5 of Clippers’ last 5 Tuesdays. Jazz mixed ATS at home but poor SU; OVER in 9 of last 11 home games. Sharp action likely on Clippers side given mismatch.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers – 8.5
Utah Jazz 233.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 26, 2026
