After looking like contenders all season, the Utah Jazz shipped off several role players at the trade deadline and now appear committed to the tank. While star forward Lauri Markkanen says the players are focused on competing, it’s hard to compete with their current roster. Bettors searching out sharp NBA player props for Tuesday’s Jazz-Mavericks game should tail the prediction below — FanDuel has left a bit too much value on the Jordan Clarkson player prop markets. Make sure to check out OddsShopper’s tools for other sharp plays.
Best Jazz-Mavericks NBA Player Prop | Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson O/U 21.5 Points
The Utah Jazz may still currently own a play-in spot, but they sit in a four-way tie with the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers for the ninth seed. The Oklahoma City Thunder are just a half-game back. The Jazz are far more likely to miss the play-in than they are to make the playoffs, and Utah’s coaching staff and front office almost certainly understand there is no upside to making a playoff push. That could start to affect player minutes moving forward.
Jordan Clarkson finds himself in a tough spot tonight. The Dallas Mavericks rank 29th in pace on the year. Although they have sped up to 18th in pace over the last seven games, likely due to the arrival of Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks remain a slow team. Further, they have allowed the fewest above-the-break 3-pointers per game (7.5) this year and even fewer (6.6) through the last seven games. While they haven’t done much to stop opposing teams in the paint, their perimeter defense will cause issues for a sharpshooter like Clarkson.
Clarkson relies on above-the-break 3-pointers to rack up points. He leads the Jazz in above-the-break 3’s attempted per game (6.5) and they make up 38.4% of his field goals attempted per game. Clarkson has played the Mavericks twice already and is yet to make more than a single 3-pointer against them. He is averaging 20 points per game against Dallas this year and 17 points per game since the All-Star Break. If he hits the over, he’ll have to make a number of shots in the paint, but he should not draw sufficient volume to do so.
The books have set the total (21.5) at the fairest number possible. However, most books have the juice stacked on the under. Caesars has the under priced at a whopping -135. DraftKings has it at -125. However, bettors can still buy under at -115 via FanDuel Sportsbook. With a blowout likely, especially now that Walker Kessler is questionable, fading a Utah starter reliant on 3-point shooting feels sharp. Readers who are yet to register at FanDuel can score a no-sweat first bet worth up to $1,000!
Best Jazz-Mavericks Player Prop: Jordan Clarkson Under 21.5 Points (-115 for 0.75u) at FanDuel
