The LA Clippers fought a back-and-forth battle with the Utah Jazz and ultimately came away on top, 105-94. Here are three things we learned.
The LA Clippers didn’t trail by 20+ tonight, but they did manage to show off some of that same resilience that got them into the playoffs last season.
With 3:55 left in the third quarter, the Utah Jazz took a 61-51 lead over the Clippers. Based on the way the game was going, some began to suspect that it was essentially over. Up to that point, LA had struggled to get anything going on offense and looked like a far inferior team compared to the Jazz.
And then, in the final 15:55 of the game, LA outscored Utah 54-33 — a 21-point swing — to put away the Jazz and earn their fifth win of the young season.
It was a team effort, as it usually is with the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard had a team-high 30 points, but he was one of six players that scored in double-figures for LA Sunday night. Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and Ivica Zubac all made huge contributions on offense as well.
It’s not all about scoring, either. LA’s other guys all had solid performances as well, especially on the defensive end.
Patrick Beverley only scored four points, but hauled in nine rebounds and was credited with two steals and a block, too.
JaMychal Green was the unsung hero, going for 12 points and six rebounds in just under 24 minutes. He logged a plus/minus rating of +30, which the eye test supported as well. All night long, Green was hustling, playing smart defense and doing whatever he could to keep the Clippers on track.
Green bailed the Clippers out from three-point range as well, connecting on two of his five attempts from deep. On a night when LA shot 7-of-32 overall from beyond the arc, each of his two makes were huge.
Above all, the LA Clippers redeemed themselves. The Jazz embarrassed them last week in Utah (even though the Clippers didn’t have Leonard), and it was on LA to prove that they can compete with one of the Western Conference’s best teams. Not only did they prove that, but they showed that they don’t stop playing until the final buzzer.
For more in-depth takeaways from Sunday night’s performance, continue to the next slide.