LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz Prediction | 01.27.26

LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 27-01-2026

As the NBA regular season grinds on, a compelling Western Conference matchup awaits on January 27, 2026, at 10:00 PM in the Delta Center, Salt Lake City. The LA Clippers (21-24) travel to face the Utah Jazz (15-31) in a game with significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations, or lack thereof. This contest pits a veteran-laden Clippers squad against a rebuilding Jazz team, with both rosters battling a multitude of injuries.

LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz Matchup Preview

LA Clippers Key Stats & Trends

The LA Clippers, despite their underwhelming record, possess immense talent. Their offense is spearheaded by the two-way brilliance of Kawhi Leonard, who averages an elite 28.1 PPG. Leonard also contributes significantly across the board with 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.2 SPG, and 0.6 BPG. Playmaking duties are expertly handled by James Harden, dishing out 8.1 APG, while the interior presence of Ivica Zubac anchors their rebounding with 11.0 RPG. However, their consistency has been an issue, leading to their sub-.500 record. Their defense, when healthy and engaged, can be stifling, but offensive lulls and a lack of depth due to injuries have hampered their progress.

Injury Report LA Clippers

• TyTy Washington Jr. (Day-to-day): Washington (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Nets.
• Bogdan Bogdanovic (Out): Bogdanovic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Jazz.
• Kawhi Leonard (Day-to-day): Leonard is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Jazz due to a bruised left knee, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports.
• Kris Dunn (Day-to-day): Dunn (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Jazz, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports.
• Derrick Jones Jr. (Out): Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said that Jones (knee) was a limited participant in Saturday’s practice, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
• Bradley Beal (Out): Beal will undergo season-ending surgery on his left hip, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

Utah Jazz Key Stats & Trends

The Utah Jazz are in a clear rebuilding phase, reflected in their 15-31 record. Their offensive output is led by Brice Sensabaugh, who averages 11.7 PPG. Veteran big man Jusuf Nurkic is a force on the boards, pulling down 10.2 RPG, and contributing across the stat sheet with 11.2 PPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG. Rookie Isaiah Collier has shown flashes of potential as a playmaker, tallying 6.6 APG. The Jazz struggle with consistent scoring and defensive lapses, often relying on individual efforts rather than cohesive team play, a common trait for young, developing rosters.

Injury Report Utah Jazz

• Jusuf Nurkic (Day-to-day): Nurkic (illness) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.
• Georges Niang (Out): Niang (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.
• Lauri Markkanen (Out): Markkanen (conditioning) is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.
• Kevin Love (Day-to-day): Love (knee) is listed as probable for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
• Keyonte George (Out): George will be held out of Tuesday’s game against the Clippers for rest purposes.
• Elijah Harkless (Out): Harkless finished Monday’s 105-103 win over the Celtics with three points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 21 minutes.
• Walker Kessler (Out): Kessler will undergo left shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz Prediction & Best Bet

This matchup presents a clear disparity in talent and experience, heavily skewed towards the Clippers, even with their current injury woes. The Jazz are severely hampered, with key contributors like Walker Kessler out for the season, and Jusuf Nurkic (doubtful) and Lauri Markkanen (questionable) likely sidelined. If Kawhi Leonard plays for the Clippers, his impact will be decisive against a depleted Jazz squad. Even if Leonard is out, the Clippers still boast James Harden and a deeper roster compared to Utah’s youth movement. The Jazz’s struggles to score consistently, coupled with their defensive vulnerabilities, especially without their primary bigs, will be exploited by the Clippers’ offensive firepower. Expect the Clippers to assert their dominance early and often.

Given the significant injuries to the Jazz’s frontcourt and their overall poor record, the Clippers should cover the spread comfortably. For the total points, with Nurkic and Kessler potentially out, the Jazz’s interior defense will be compromised, allowing the Clippers to score efficiently. While the Jazz might struggle to keep pace, the overall pace of the game and potential open looks could push the score higher. We predict a high-scoring affair with the Clippers taking control.

Predicted Winner: LA Clippers -8.5 (Spread)

Total Points Pick: Over 231.5