The Clippers take on the Jazz tonight on the second game of a back-to-back after a rousing victory last night in Portland.
Game Information
Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
When: 6:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Amir Coffey – Terance Mann – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Jazz: Collin Sexton – Jordan Clarkson – Lauri Markkanen – Jarred Vanderbilt – Kelly Olynyk
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard Out (Ankle), Paul George Out (Hamstring), Luke Kennard Out (Calf), Norm Powell Doubtful (Groin), Reggie Jackson Questionable (Back)
Jazz: Mike Conley Out (Leg), Leandro Bolmaro Out (Concussion)
The Big Picture
Despite playing badly and being shorthanded for seemingly much of the season, the Clippers are somehow 13-9 on the backs of some gritty wins and a cupcake schedule. Their guards such as Reggie Jackson and Norm Powell have turned things around after a brutal start to the season, and the Clippers are getting magnificent defense from Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum. Still, these role players are once again carrying heavy burdens with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out, and it’s tough to see Reggie Jackson playing the entire second half of a game when he was supposed to take a step back in minutes this year. The Clippers’ defense is great, their offense is a slog that sometimes gets going (mostly in transition), and the depth has remained playable just about all year. They will need their stars when the schedule gets tougher, but staying afloat has been huge.
The Antagonist
The Jazz have lost five games in a row and are 2-8 in their last 10 after a sizzling start to the season, and have fallen back into the pack. They might be better than the true tanking teams like the Rockets, Pistons, and Spurs, but their talent level is not enough to keep them near the top of the West. Still, they have enough veterans and cohesion to win a good chunk of games, and the Clippers need to take them seriously, even with veteran point guard Mike Conley out.
Notes
More Moussa: Moussa Diabate got his first true NBA minutes yesterday, playing the entirety of the 4th quarter against the Blazers, and his defense an energy were a big reason the Clippers pulled out the win. Moussa is still very raw on offense and isn’t strong enough to handle large big men one on one, but he’s simply more talented than Moses Brown, and I’d much rather see him get minutes against most opponents.
Super Short-Handed: If Norm is out (seems likely) and Reggie is out or limited, the Clippers will be at the most short-handed they’ve been all season. Not only will one of Moussa or Brown play, but Jason Preston and Brandon Boston Jr. would most likely suit up as well, as the Clippers would be down a full five key rotation players. Against a more rested Jazz team on the road, that would be a tough win – but the Clippers are nothing if not resilient.
