The Clippers were in the position to jump the Utah Jazz in the standings Wednesday. However, unlike Monday night against the Mavericks, Los Angeles was unable to capitalize.
After they had put some distance between themselves and the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers – their primary competition for one of the last Western Conference postseason spots – the Clippers faltered in a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest with the Jazz.
The Clippers took a 17-point lead early after an excellent first quarter on both ends of the floor. The defense swarmed Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, holding them to a combined nine points. Danilo Gallinari shined with 11 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke out of a shooting funk that had been going on for more than a week. Ivica Zubac was a game-high plus-17 for the quarter.
Then came the defense.
The Clippers and Jazz matched each other with 23 points in the second frame and combined to shoot just 17-48. And, while the Jazz didn’t gain much ground, the defensive effort provided a spark that fueled them in the second half.
Utah bested Los Angeles 62-49 in the second half, dominating the glass and scoring almost at will. Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander scored just six and two points, respectively in the second half, while the Clippers were outrebounded 30-19 for the game.
Gallinari finished the game with 18 points and five rebounds, while Lou Williams finished with 18 and six assists. Montrezl Harrell, who was a ghost for much of the game, finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Mitchell, after scoring just two points in the first quarter, finished the game with 32 points, four rebounds and four assists. Gobert finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.
So, what can the Clippers take away from the loss, and where do they go from here?
Observations
Back to 8th
The Spurs – who won Wednesday night – hold the tie-breaker over the Clippers. With the loss, Los Angeles drops back down to the eighth spot in the conference, just two and three games ahead of the Kings and Lakers, respectively.
With that in mind, these next few games are now more important than they already were. In what could prove the biggest game of the season for either ball club, the Clippers travel to Sacramento to play the Kings Friday night. Likewise, the Clippers and Lakers face off against one another on Monday.
SGA Finding his Shooting Stroke
Gilgeous-Alexander had been in one of the worst slumps of his young career. In his previous three contests, the rookie point guard went 1-17. Gilgeous-Alexander shook off the funk in a big way, however, going 6-8 against Utah.
The Clippers need everyone to perform at their peak to keep their postseason shot alive, but Gilgeous-Alexander may be the key. If he can springboard from this performance into a nice offensive streak, it would be a huge difference maker for Los Angeles.
Clippers Show They Can Hang
Yes, the Clippers lost. But, in the loss, they showed that, despite some midseason roster curveballs, they can still hang with some of the better teams in the Western Conference. It was very much a back and forth affair with the Jazz, the Clippers just didn’t make enough plays to win. If they can continue to push, and hold their own against some tough opponents, the Clippers could find themselves anywhere from the fifth to the eighth spot in the conference (that’s just how close it is) come season’s end.
That push could be the difference between a first-round exit at the hands of the Warriors, or a potential upset-bid and surprise second-round appearance.
Questions
Will the Clippers Survive their Homestand?
After Monday’s game against the Lakers, the Clippers begin a six-game homestand, five games of which will be played against teams currently in the postseason. The Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers are all talented and should prove a test for this young, hodgepodge Clippers squad.
Can the Clippers survive that stretch? If the ball bounces their way, they may all but lock themselves into a postseason spot. But, if they flop, it may be smart to preemptively pack their bags for the offseason.
How Long Will the Poor Shooting Continue?
Over their last four games, the Clippers have shot an inadequate 41.4 percent from the floor and an abysmal 26 percent (31-117) from three-point range. That cannot continue if the Clippers have any chance of sticking in a postseason spot.
The Clippers may be able to find their stroke in an upcoming game against the paltry New York Knicks. But, if they can’t and the offense continues to sputter, Doc Rivers and Co. are going to have to get very creative in order to win some must-win games.
Prediction
The Clippers beat the Kings and Lakers, then go .500 or better in their Upcoming Homestand.
The Clippers need something big; a spark to thrust them into the postseason. With two pivotal games against the Kings and Lakers in front of them, and a not-so-easy home stretch on the horizon, Los Angeles has their own fate in their hands.
And they just might make a run with it.
