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LA Clippers at Jazz Preview: A Game with Heavy Playoff Implications

By Jacob Glosup

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to being fouled in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to being fouled in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Tonight the LA Clippers face off against the Jazz in Utah. This is an important game for the Clippers, as it carries heavy playoff implications.

The LA Clippers currently sit at the 7th seed in the Western Conference, half a game behind Utah. The Clippers dropped their first matchup against the Jazz earlier this season, a tough 20 point loss (129-109) in mid-January. Los Angeles must win this game in order to stave off Utah from possessing a tie-breaker until the outcome of the third and final matchup between the two teams.

The Clippers possess a road record just over .500 (17-16) whereas the Jazz have been playing great basketball on their home court. They currently tout a home record of 19-10. The odds aren’t in favor of the Clippers according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, which gives the Clippers a 22.4% chance of winning tonight. However, the Clippers have defied low expectations all throughout the season and can continue to do so tonight.

Neither team is playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They are rested, as both teams previously played on Monday. Utah and Los Angeles both hold a 6-4 record in their last 10 games and are on a 1-win streak. Expect the Clippers to come out swinging against the Jazz.

Montrezl Harrell could lead the charge again tonight, after having a career night against Dallas on Monday. He posted a career-high stat line: 32 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. He and Lou Williams carved up the Mavericks in the pick-and-roll. Look forward to a big night from both of them.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to get back on track tonight. He failed to score a single point in 17 minutes with 0-3 shooting from deep, and 0-4 from the field overall. He only contributed two rebounds otherwise on Monday. Hopefully, Shai can bounce back and continue to be the force he has been all season. It’d be great to see him running the offense and tearing Utah apart around the rim and from mid-range again.

Next. Montrezl Harrell's Hot Winter. dark

The Clippers’ owner, Steve Ballmer made it abundantly clear in an appearance on Inside the NBA on TNT that the team is all-in on making the playoffs. Winning this game is a vital step in making that expectation a reality.

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