Los Angeles Clippers Revitalize Their Playoff Hopes, Beat Utah Jazz 99-91
Blake Griffin led the Los Angeles Clippers with a vintage performance, scoring 24 points, along with DeAndre Jordan’s double-double in their victory over the Utah Jazz Tuesday night, evening the series at 1-1.
Jordan ended the game with 18 points and 15 rebounds, in addition to Chris Paul’s 21 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, who demolished the Jazz inside the paint 60-38.
The Clippers managed to get a 12 point lead at the end of the first quarter, behind some fantastic dunks which were what earned the team’s nickname as “Lob City,” years ago.
”It was big,” Griffin said. ”Our spirit was great, and I think it just carried over into the first quarter, with everybody being aggressive. That’s what we need. Miss or make shots, we have to be aggressive like that. Our offensive aggressiveness will carry over to defense.”
Los Angeles’ big 3 (Jordan, Griffin, Paul), combined for 10-13 for shooting and six rebounds just in the first quarter alone. Also in the first, they shot 65 percent and outscored Utah in the paint 10-0.
”We got a lot of stops early in the game,” Jordan said. ”We were able to get out and run in transition and get some easy dunks and post steals for Blake, and then it opens up for our shooters.”
The Jazz came within 3 points of the Clippers early in the third quarter from Derrick Favors’ basket, who has been starting in place of the injured Rudy Gobert.
”We got to find other ways to protect the paint. That’s the challenge,” Snyder said. ”There’s no sense lamenting his absence. Just got to figure out how to be better.”
Game 3 will be held in Utah.
Series: 1-1 Tied