At last look the Jazz were favored by a dozen points against the Clippers. No, Karl Malone and John Stockton haven't suddenly been transported in time. Doc Rivers has said he'll be resting Clipper starters. Blake Griffin didn't even make the trip. Hence, such an out of whack point spread.

There also is a huge reduction in the total. In my view, the total has been lowered way too much.

The Clippers have averaged 105.5 points in their last 12 games. They have firepower on their bench and Utah could be less intense than normal defensively knowing the Clippers are sitting out starters.

Utah is averaging 100 points in its last five games. The Clippers lose a lot defensively if DeAndre Jordan is one of the starters slated to sit by Rivers. The Jazz also are expected to have Alec Burks for the first time since he suffered a broken leg in December.

Burks' minutes will be limited, but his presence allows the Jazz an option of playing three wings and opens up the perimeter more for Gordon Hawyard and underrated Rodney Hood.