Feature Image: Photo by Andy Clayton-King of the Associated Press.
by Alma Bean
The Utah Jazz (23-24) will take on the depleted Los Angeles Clippers (23-23) in their final meeting of the season to win the season series.
What to Look For
After yet another nail-biting win for Utah on Monday, Utah will look to continue the winning trend against Los Angeles. Los Angeles has been injury prone this season which has resulted in them being in the bottom of the league in team PPG with 109.4 points. Utah is looking great this year given their moves this offseason. They have managed to stay at the top of the same category with 117.6 points. In Utah’s seven games they’ve played in January, six of their eight games have been decided by two possessions or less. Utah has a 2-1 record against Los Angeles this season winning by an average of 4.7 points with the last win by 13 points. Though Los Angeles is coming without their stars, Utah will still need to prevent them from getting to the perimeter. The Clippers are in the top ten in the league in three-point percentage with 37 percent.
Key for the Game
Take advantage of the paint. Los Angeles currently has Ivica Zubac listed as questionable with a left knee contusion leaving their center position in question. If Zubac is unable to play, this will leave Los Angeles with only one true center left on their active roster with Moses Brown. This adjustment will leave Los Angeles with only small ball lineups and Utah should be able to control the boards and points in the paint. After an impressive outing from Walker Kessler on Monday night becoming the first rookie in franchise history to record a 20/20 game in points and rebounds, this may allow him to shine even brighter.
Injury Report
Los Angeles – Paul George: Out (hamstring), Luke Kennard: Out (calf), Kawhi Leonard: Out (knee), John Wall: Out (abdomen), Ivica Zubac: Questionable (knee)
Utah – Johnny Juzang: Out (G League), Kelly Olynyk: Out (ankle), Micah Potter: Out (G League)
Where to Watch?
Tip-off between Los Angeles and Utah will be at 7:00 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.