The L.A. Clippers (16-12) put their four-game winning streak on the line tonight as they visit the formidable Utah Jazz (19-7). Read on for our full Clippers vs. Jazz game preview.
Clippers vs. Jazz Game Information
Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
When: 7 p.m. PT
How to Tune in: ESPN, Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570 KLAC, KTMZ
Projected Starting Lineups:
L.A. Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Luke Kennard – Terance Mann – Marcus Morris Sr. – Ivica Zubac
Utah Jazz: Mike Conley – Donovan Mitchell – Royce O’Neale – Bojan Bogdanović – Rudy Gobert
Injury Report:
L.A. Clippers: Nicolas Batum – OUT (Right Ankle Sprain), Paul George – OUT (Right Elbow Sprain), Serge Ibaka – OUT (Personal Reasons), Kawhi Leonard – OUT (Right Knee; ACL – Injury Recovery), Jason Preston – OUT (Right Foot – Injury Recovery)
Utah Jazz: Udoka Azubuike – OUT (Right Ankle Injury), Jared Butler – OUT (Right Knee Soreness)
A source tells @TheAthletic that Serge Ibaka was a close contact yesterday and had to test right at gametime.
— Law Murray
That is why he did not enter the bench area last night until later in the first quarter. Ibaka tested negative but is out for start of trip due to protocols.(@LawMurrayTheNU) December 15, 2021
The Big Picture
Amid an NBA landscape ravaged by injuries and illnesses, both COVID and non-COVID related, the Clippers have managed to keep the ship afloat and then some. Winners of five of their last six, and four in a row, LAC is starting to feel it once again thanks in large part to Marcus Morris Sr.’s return to form. Despite Paul George and Nicolas Batum going down due to what are presumed to be minor ailments, Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, and Ivica Zubac have stepped it up, as showcased in their Western Conference Finals “rematch” against Phoenix. All the while, LAC’s defense has remained Top 4 on the year and looked the part more often than not, despite all of the moving parts. Facing the Clippers tonight, however, is a tough task, regardless of whether or not George and Batum are ultimately available. In the regular season, LAC has lost six straight in Utah, dating back to March 13, 2017.
The Antagonist
The only team in the league hotter than the Clippers in the last six games happens to be tonight’s matchup in the Jazz, who have been just about fully healthy this season. The continuity has certainly paid dividends for Utah as the Jazz are 16-5 with their usual starting five, fifth in Defensive Rating (106.2), and first in Offensive Rating (117.5). Utah is also on their own season-best seven-game streak, with mostly double-digit wins over New Orleans, Portland, Boston, Cleveland, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert has been as advertised once again this season, leading the league on a per-game basis in field goal percentage (73.4%) and rebounds (14.6), as well as in Win Shares (4.9) and Defensive Win Shares (1.9). Two-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell comes into tonight ranked 11th in the NBA in PPG (24.8) with shooting splits of 46/35/89. Of course, the Clippers know all about the Jazz and Vivint Arena, having delivered one of the all-time gut punches to Utah in their last visit there before closing the postseason series out at Staples Center in Game 6.
Clippers vs. Jazz Game Notes
- The Hunter: It has to be said once again just how different Luke Kennard looks this season, especially in these last six games. Cool Hand Luke has actually one of the more fiery Clippers on the court this season, and not just with his emotions. Kennard has been hyperaggressive in relocating without the ball, putting up shots without hesitation, and has had a quietly underrated year on the defensive end thus far. It will definitely be interesting to see, as well as much needed, if Kennard can get going against the Jazz’s fifth-ranked defense.
Luke Kennard was locked in
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 14, 2021pic.twitter.com/ZaZQZ4LIU7
- iHartZubac: When a certain former center reserve dipped a couple offseasons ago, it was exciting to see Serge Ibaka land in LAC for a multitude of reasons. One of them being that LAC could theoretically always have a shot-blocking presence on the floor. While the rumor mill regarding Ibaka’s role — and perhaps even his future with the Clippers — could surely heat up soon unless the rotation changes, it’s pretty wild to think that the duo of Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein has been the one perhaps realizing that vision. Both of the fives have been playing pretty great all season, especially as of late. They will have some work cut out for them tonight, however, against the likes of Gobert and Hassan Whiteside.
- Senior Health Watch: It’s pretty fitting that since the last time I wrote for the site, noting how rough he looked, Marcus Morris Sr. has been a tear. In these last six games, Senior is averaging 17.6 PPG on 50% shooting from the field and 48.6% from deep. The quality of his play is night and day when his health is right, and greatly raises/lowers the Clippers’ chances to win on any night especially with the roster as depleted as it has been thus far.
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