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Clippers vs. Jazz Game Preview
The Clippers are finally at .500 (10-10); tonight, they hope to get back into the “green” against the Utah Jazz on the road.
Game Information
Where: Vivint Smart Home Area, Salt Lake City, UT
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch/ Listen: ESPN, Watch ESPN, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Jazz: Keyonte George – Ochai Agbaji – Simone Fontecchio – John Collins – Ömer Yurtseven
Clippers: James Harden – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Terance Mann – Ivica Zubac
Injuries
Jazz: Kelly Olynyk, Questionable (Shoulder); Jordon Clarkson, Questionable (thigh); Lauri Markkanen, Out (Hamstring)
Clippers: Mason Plumlee, Out (Knee); Brandon Boston, Jr., Out (G League Assignment)
The Big Picture
The Jazz are 3-7 in their last 10 games, while the Clippers are climbing, winning seven of their last ten. What’s more, Markkanen has already been ruled out, and Olynyk and Clarkson are currently questionable. Therefore, the length that gave the Clippers so many issues early this season—when the Clippers lost in Utah, 120-118—will be significantly paired back. This difference, as well as the Clippers’ more solid rotation in recent games, is why the Clippers are currently favored by 6.5 points.
The Antagonist
Six of the Jazz’ seven wins have come at home and the Clippers have never won in Utah during the Ty Lue era (0-6). Moreover, this year, in general, the Clippers have been poor on the road (3-7). If the Jazz get one or both of their “questionable” players off the injury report, the Clippers have shown themselves willing and able to lose in Utah, even when they have the superior lineup.
Notes
Schedule Talk: Now that the Clippers are finally back to .500, it is time for them to hold themselves to an even higher standard. That is, the Clippers have beaten some relatively tough teams over the last few weeks (Nuggets, Warriors, Kings, Mavericks); now, the Clippers need to start expecting to win those games because they have done it already. When the Clippers play the Kings and Warriors next week, the mindset should be that the Clippers are the favorites. If the Clippers cannot make that jump, they are going to have trouble in the new year (they started 2024 with the Heat, Suns, Pelicans, Lakers, Suns and (again)).
Watch This Space: The Clippers rank second in steals per game (9.1), while the Jazz lead the league in turnovers (17.8 per game). We might see a track meet in Salt Lake if these trends hold on Friday night.