Utah Jazz Defeats LA Clippers, 110-96

The LA Clippers suffered their second loss, this time against the Utah Jazz. Doc Rivers’ team couldn’t go against the fired-up hosts, who solved this one in the third period for a 110-96 victory.

After an even first half, which ended with Jazz leading 52-51, the hosts demolished Clippers with 38-20 in the third sequence, creating a 21-point advantage in one moment. Back then, Utah scored 6 threes in 8 attempts, while on the other side, the visitors from LA couldn’t hit a single one. Along with the turnovers, which Clippers committed 5, and Jazz just one, it was the main reason why hosts created such a massive difference.

Overall, the guests posted 20 turnovers in this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q_2sxL9KF0

At one point in the final quarter, the Clippers managed to cut down the deficit to 10 points, 99-89, but Mike Conley denied that push. The former Grizzlie scored a three and had an assist for Rudy Gobert’s dunk, which brought back the momentum to Utah’s side and once again restored the balance on the floor. He had 18 points in that period and was the central piece in Jazzers’ surge.

This was very important for the veteran playmaker who didn’t start the season well since joining from Memphis. He scored 31 points combined in the first four games before dropping 29 in this one.

“I just wanted to get back to who I am,” Conley said. “It’s a lonely place when you’re playing like that the few games. I appreciate the fans sticking with me, They’re unbelivable.”

The game started well for the hosts who had a 10-point lead following the first period, 33-23. But the Kahwi-less Clippers bounced back and came back roaring after erasing a 12-point gap in the second. They’ve concluded the sequence with a 15-4 run and came down to one bucket.

However, that would later change with Conley taking matters into his hands. He ended the night with 29 points, 5 assists, shooting 11 of 17 from the field, and hitting 5 threes.

Donovan Mitchell had 24 points 10 of 17 from the field, adding 5 boards. Bogdan Bogdanovic delivered 14 points, Gobert had 13 with 7 rebounds,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1aLw2CTrcQ

On the other side, Kawhi Leonard didn’t play due to rest. The game against Utah was picked in advance for him to skip. Surprisingly, we saw Lou Williams in the starting lineup, and he scored a team-high 24 points. It seems that he doesn’t mind whether he comes off the bench or stars in the first five. JayMychal Green was excellent with 23 buckets off the bench, missing just one of his 6 three-point attempts. On top of that, he added 7 rebounds.

Montrezl Harrell had 10 points, and those were the only three guys from the Clippers team who had double-digit figures in the points column.

The team from LA now heads for San Antonio to play their second of back-to-back games against the Spurs. It will be a hostile reception for Kawhi, who left Gregg Popovich’s team forcing his way out of the franchise after a pretty bad period filled with disputes and disagreements. After that, they have another matchup with the Jazzers, only this time at Staples, on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Utah faces the poor Sacramento Kings this Saturday, before the second game against the Clippers.