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The LA Clippers look to take control of the series in Game 3

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the 99-91 victory against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the 99-91 victory against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a stellar performance at home, the LA Clippers will try to take control of the series in Utah.

Friday night’s game is probably going to be the most important game of the series for both the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers. If the Clippers win, they will not only gain the home-court advantage back but assert themselves as the team to beat in the series.

On the other hand, if Utah can pull out another win against LA, the confidence would go a long way towards closing out the series. With Austin Rivers set to return in game 4, this is almost a must win for the Jazz, because beating the Clippers without Gobert becomes so much harder when Rivers makes his return.

What to Watch For.

  • LA had tremendous success scoring in the paint last game. DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin should continue to do the same in Game 3.
  • Both J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford have had terrible games so far. LA would be smart to try and get them involved early. The Clippers are so much more dangerous when one/both are playing they way they are capable.
  • With the injury to Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and Jeff Withey have been asked to step in and try to fill the void. With Withey’s new Domestic Abuse allegations and Favors injury issue,  we may not see much of either.
  • Blake Griffin is due for a Playoff Blake game. You know, the one where he is an unstoppable triple-double machine. Blake has had a good series by normal standards but we all know he is more than capable of more.

Keys For Utah.

  1. Protect the Paint!
    • For Utah to have a chance, they have to stop LA from getting whatever they want inside. In my opinion, they should do everything in their power to congest and protect the paint.
  2. Hope to get Hot.
    • The one loss the LA Clippers had to Utah in the regular season was when Utah hit almost everything they put up. Utah also stuck around in Game 2 in part because they shot above their season average from deep.

Keys For the LA Clippers.

  1. Attack the Paint.
    • Attack-Attack-Attack. it worked out just fine for LA in Game 2, no reason they should stray away from it.
  2. Keep the foot on the Gas.
    • One of the Clippers problems is relaxing when they get a big lead. If they do that against the Jazz they could very well not only lose the game but the entire series.
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