Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images. Pictured: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers.
News that Kawhi Leonard will be out indefinitely with what the Los Angeles Clippers fear to be an ACL injury has resulted in an influx of bets on the team’s Western Conference semifinal opponent Utah Jazz for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Bettors at BetMGM now have about 83% of their money and 79% of their total tickets on the Jazz spread, which opened at -2.5 and moved to -7.5 after news of Leonard’s ailment (real-time odds here).
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The Jazz moneyline has 60% of total tickets and 77% of the handle at BetMGM. That line opened at -140 and has lengthened to -300 as of early Wednesday afternoon.
The total for a pivotal Game 5 in which the series is tied 2-2 has dropped from 223.5 to 221.5 at the sportsbook. About 51% of the tickets and 68% of the money is on the under.
Leonard had averaged 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in 11 playoff games this season to go along with his customary shutdown defense.
The most popular prop bets at BetMGM are Donovan Mitchell over 32.5 points, Mitchell to record a double-double and Mitchell to make more than 4.5 three-pointers.
Mitchell is averaging 37 points in four games this series, topping 32.5 three times. He’s yet to record a double-double, as his most assists or rebounds in a game so far is just five. He has just one double-double in eight playoff games this year.
He’s enjoyed plenty of success behind the arc with at least five made threes in each game.
