After being stunned on Saturday night, the LA Clippers are back in action at the Staples Center looking to level the series against the Utah Jazz.
The LA Clippers went into the series having won seven straight games and were expected to ease past the Utah Jazz in the first round. However, they were undone by Utah after a Joe Johnson buzzer beater saw the Clippers lose 97-95. Tonight they go again, and they will need to be at their very best if they are to even the Western Conference first round series.
Despite not having home-court advantage anymore, the Clippers still go into the game as favorites. With center Rudy Gobert reportedly ruled out, the LA franchise can take advantage and finally kickstart their post season. However, they will have to be at their very best from the first minute to the last. The Clippers cannot let Utah control the game and dominate like they did in the first game.
"Coach Doc Rivers said on Monday, “The point is we have to join in. They’re still going to do what they do. They should. That’s who they are. But we didn’t do what we usually do. So when you have two teams who are both trying to instigate action, it’s a better game. It’s a better game for us. I don’t know if we can take it away from them. I think we just have to do it ourselves.”"
Chris Paul had 25 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds in Game 1 and his fourth quarter heroics nearly helped the Clippers win. They will need more from J.J. Redick, who managed just 7 points on Saturday, and Blake Griffin who had a subdued second half.
It takes Everything
Together. #ItTakesEverything pic.twitter.com/zfQ4GPUTkX
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 18, 2017
As the Clippers’ slogan says, the LA outfit will need to give their everything if they are to beat the Utah Jazz. They will need every player to contribute if they are to level the series. Their bench was outscored 47-20 by the Utah bench on Saturday. A repeat of that in Game 2 could lead to the same result.
With the next two games in Utah, the Clippers just cannot afford to be down 2-0. The fans are expecting a response, and the Clippers need to find one.