Jazz vs. Clippers NBA injury report, odds, spread: Paul George, Nicolas Batum out; Kawhi Leonard, Mike Conley questionable Wednesday in potential playoff preview
The Clippers could again be down their two All-Stars when they host red-hot Utah on Wednesday, but one has a chance to play.
The Utah Jazz have won 19 of 20 games and have the best record in the NBA. They might catch a huge break at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in a potential Western Conference playoff preview as the Clips have ruled out Paul George and Nicolas Batum again, while Kawhi Leonard is in question. Utah might even get back starting point guard Mike Conley, who is questionable. The Clippers will not be home underdogs often this season but are currently +3.5 on the NBA odds at William Hill Sportsbook.
The 19-1 stretch is Utah's best over 20 games since also going 19-1 from March 12 to April 20, 1997. That team finished 64-18 but lost to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the NBA Finals.
Not only are the Jazz beating people, they are generally stomping opponents. They have an amazing 18-1-1 against the spread record in the past 20 games. Since 1990, only the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks, who went 19-1 ATS from Dec. 15, 2014 through Jan. 25, 2015, have a better 20-game run ATS. Those Hawks covered the spread in 15 consecutive games from Dec. 27, 2014 through Jan. 23, 2015. Utah is on a seven-game ATS winning streak currently.
Conley (16.5 ppg, 5.8 apg), who leads the league in plus/minus, has been out since Feb. 5 with right hamstring tightness. That he has been upgraded to questionable is a good sign for Wednesday, but it likely would still be a minor upset if he plays. Joe Ingles has been starting in Conley's spot.
George (24.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.5 apg) is dealing with a foot injury that has kept him out since Feb. 3 and it doesn't appear as if he's all that close. Batum (9.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will miss his second in a row with a concussion – Marcus Morris started for him Monday and blew up with 32 points in an upset of Miami. Leonard has missed the past two with a leg contusion but has been upgraded to questionable.
Utah hosted the Clippers on New Year's Day and the Jazz won 106-100 in the second of a back-to-back. Conley had a team-high 33 points along with seven assists – no one else on Utah had more than 15 points. L.A. shot just 38.8 percent from the field. George had 25 points but was 6-for-22. Leonard had 20 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.
The Jazz have covered the spread in eight of the past 10 meetings.Â
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