Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Western Conference NBA Playoffs Preview – LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz

By Matthew Hallett

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) defend Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) under the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) defend Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) under the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
The Utah Jazz and LA Clippers are set to meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz and LA Clippers are set to meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

Now that the regular season has finished, the 2017 NBA Playoffs are now upon us. In the first round the Utah Jazz will take on the LA Clippers in what will be an amazing contest.

The LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz played four games this regular season with the Clippers taking the series 3-1. This gave them the tie break in the standings and home court advantage in their opening round matchup.

Regular Season Recap

L.A. hosted the first game on October 30. The Clippers came out on top of a low scoring affair 88-75. For the Clippers, Blake Griffin had a double double and Austin Rivers was huge off the bench with 19 points. For the Jazz, George Hill had 18 points. Gordon Hayward was out with his broken hand.

Utah hosted the second game, which was played on February 13; in another low scoring match the Clippers again prevailed 88-82. Griffin collected another double double., as did DeAndre Jordan. For Utah, Rudy Gobert finished with a double double but the Jazz were simply outclassed.

Utah hosted the third game and this was their only win, 114-108. Gordon Hayward scored 27 and Gobert collected a double double. Chris Paul scored 33 for the visitors.

L.A hosted the final game, with the hometown Clippers prevailing 108-95 behind Jamal Crawford’s 28 points off the bench. Gobert was again huge for the visitors with a third straight double double against LA.

Projected Teams

Utah Jazz

Likely Starters

Center: Rudy Gobert

Power Forward: Derrick Favors

Small Forward: Gordon Hayward

Shooting Guard: Rodney Hood

Point Guard: George Hill.

Key Reserves: Joe Johnson, Joe Ingles, Boris Diaw

LA Clippers

Likely Starters

Center: DeAndre Jordan

Power Forward: Blake Griffin

Small Forward: Luc Mbah a Moute

Shooting Guard: J.J. Redick

Point Guard: Chris Paul

Key Reserves: Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton.

Past NBA Playoffs History

There two teams have only played twice before in the NBA Playoffs. Both times were first round matchups in the 1990’s where the Jazz prevailed. The Clippers will be hoping that history does not repeat as they cannot afford another early round playoff exit.

Home/Thunder News