Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers Prediction and Betting Tips - Nov. 18 | 2025-26 NBA Season

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The Utah Jazz and LA Lakers will meet for the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday. This clash could end up being the marquee matchup with superstar LeBron James in contention to play his first game. The four-time MVP was out with sciatica to begin his 23rd season, but is listed as questionable to suit up.

Nevertheless, it should be an entertaining matchup with other All-Star candidates like Luka Doncic, Lauri Markkanen and Austin Reaves in action. The game will be televised locally by KJZZ (Utah) and Spectrum SportsNet (LA) at the Crypto.com Arena from 10:30 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. PT). Viewers outside the US can catch live action online via NBA League Pass.

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Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers Odds, Prediction, Preview and Betting Tips

Money line: Jazz +452, Lakers -650

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Spread: Jazz +12.5 (-105), Lakers -12.5 (-115)

Total over/under (o/u): Jazz o238.5 (-108), Lakers u238.5 (-110)

Editor's Notes: Odds are subject to change closer to tip off and will be updated.

Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers Preview

Utah Jazz

The Jazz enter this clash with a 5-8 record. They have won two of their last three games, so they have decent momentum. However, Utah has concerns on both ends of the court. On offense, it's 23rd with a 113.5 rating. Defensively, the Jazz are even worse, ranking 24th with a 118.1 rating.

They will need a special effort from their two best players, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, to cause an upset. Markkanen has averaged 30.6 points and 6.2 rebounds on 47.9% shooting, including 38.9% from 3. He's coming off consecutive 40-point games.

Meanwhile, George, a Most Improved Player of the Year candidate, is averaging 22.2 ppg and 7.0 apg. He has recorded only two games with fewer than six assists and has yet to score less than 10 points this season.

The Jazz have a five-player injury list. Kyle Filipowski (wrist), Taylor Hendricks (hamstring) and Kyle Anderson (back) are questionable. Georges Niang (foot) and Walker Kessler (shoulder) are out.

LA Lakers

The Lakers are 10-4 and coming off a 3-2 road trip. They won on consecutive nights against the Pelicans and the Bucks in their last two outings. The Lakers haven't produced eye-popping team stats, producing a 115.4 offensive rating (17th) and 113.7 defensive rating (15th), but they have done enough to scrap their way amid an early-season injury bug.

On Tuesday, for the first time, they could have their full 14-man roster available as LeBron James (sciatica) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) are questionable. It would be a massive relief for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have made exceptional contributions to carry the shorthanded Lakers in this span.

Doncic has averaged 34/9/9 on 46.9% shooting, while Reaves has managed a career-best 28/5/8 season on 48.2% shooting. LA won't be playing at a playoff level if James returns, but it will still likely come away with a win.

At 3-2, the home record doesn't stand out, so the Lakers will be motivated to do better.

Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers Predicted Starting 5s

Utah Jazz

PG - Keyonte George, SG - Isaiah Collier, SF - Ace Bailey, PF - Lauri Markkanen, C - Jusuf Nurkic

LA Lakers

PG - Luka Doncic, SG - Austin Reaves, SF - Rui Hachimura, PF - LeBron James, C - Deandre Ayton

Editor's notes: Starting lineups are subject to change closer to tip off due to injury updates.

Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers Betting Tips

Luka Doncic is favored to score at least 31 points. He's coming off a 41-point game.

Meanwhile, Lauri Markkanen is favored to score over 25 points despite coming off consecutive 40-point nights.

LeBron James' point total is at 16.5. Oddsmakers suggest taking the unders on the returning superstar's scoring.