Game Preview: Jazz v Clippers

The Utah Jazz play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena
on Monday evening. The Jazz (41-25) are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but are
coming off a 112-104 loss in OKC on Saturday, where none of the starters scored
in double digits and Dante Exum led the way with 22 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Rudy Gobert (leg) was sidelined for the contest and remains questionable for
action on Monday. The Jazz hold on to the fourth spot in the West, 4.5 games
behind the third-place Rockets, and one game ahead of the Clippers. This game is
a huge one for both the Jazz and the Clippers, as Utah can either gain a
two-game lead over L.A., or they could end up tied. The Jazz have won two
straight at home, where they are 22-12 so far this season. Gordon Hayward is
Utah’s leading scorer with an average of 21.9 points per game Meanwhile, the
Clippers (40-26) are 5-5 in their last 10 games, and have won two straight. They
are coming off a 112-100 win over the 76ers on Saturday, where Chris Paul led
the way with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, while DeAndre Jordan followed up
with 19 points and 20 rebounds. The sit fifth in the West, and can tie the Jazz
for fourth place with a win, but are only three games ahead of the sixth-place
Thunder. Blake Griffin leads the Clippers with an average of 21.7 points per
game, while Chris Paul is right behind him, averaging 17.6 points and 9.3
assists per game. The Clippers have won two of their last three games on the
road, where they are 19-16 so far this season.