Game Preview: Clippers v Jazz

The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Utah Jazz, in Game 2 of the Western
Conference first-round playoffs, at Staples Center on Tuesday evening. The Jazz
got the win in Game 1, but it came at a cost, as Rudy Gobert had to leave the
game in the first minute with a knee injury and has been ruled out for Game 2.
However, the fact that the Jazz managed to steal Game 1 in Los Angeles, without
one of their best players, is very impressive and can certainly give Utah some
confidence heading into Game 2 shorthanded. Joe johnson was the man who stepped
it up in the win, as he finished with a team-high 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting,
including the game-winner, in 31 minutes off the bench. Johnson has always been
clutch and is the vet with playoff experience on the mostly young Jazz team, who
can offer them a steadying pace through tough times. Derrick Favors, also topped
30 minutes off the bench in Game 1, with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists
and a block. Favors will likely see a bigger role due to the absence of Gobert
in Game 2. Gordon Hayward made his way to 19 points and 10 rebounds in the first
matchup and will have to bring it again, as well. Meanwhile, despite a
well-fought contest, the Clippers were not able to get enough of the clean looks
they needed to win. The Clippers, who finished the season with the
second-highest field goal percentage, at 47 percent, were held to 44 percent
from the field in Game 1, even without Utah’s best defender in the game. They
were also out-scored 42-40 in the paint. Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre
Jordan all put up great numbers, while the rest of the line up accounted for 34
points, 11 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block; a stat line that
could easily belong to one player. The Clippers will look to bounce back in Game
2. The Clippers were 29-12 at home during the season and won the season series
against the Jazz, 3-1, winning two games and home and one in Utah.