Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Isaac Hale of AP Photo The Utah Jazz (7-14) takes on the Los Angeles Clippers (10-10) in their one-game homestand. What to Look For Utah will have a tough matchup coming home as they take a top-five scoring team on offense and defense in the league. Los Angeles will…

Alma Bean

December 8, 2023

2–3 minutes

Brice Sensabaugh, Ivica Zubac, James Harden, John Collins, Johnny Juzang, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Christopher, Kawhi Leonard, Kelly Olynyk, Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Los Angeles Clippers, Mason Plumlee, Micah Potter, NBA, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Isaac Hale of AP Photo

The Utah Jazz (7-14) takes on the Los Angeles Clippers (10-10) in their one-game homestand.

What to Look For

Utah will have a tough matchup coming home as they take a top-five scoring team on offense and defense in the league. Los Angeles will be coming into this game with their full star power of Paul George, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard. Even with their star power, the do have weaknesses. George and Harden combined are averaging 4.7 turnovers a game, but they respectfully facilitate the ball well averaging a collective 10.8 assists per game. That puts George and Harden at an AST/TO ratio of 2.3, which is the same as Keyonte George and Talen Horton-Tucker. If Utah wants to keep this game within reach, they will need to apply more ball pressure against a team that has a turnover differential of -1.4 on the season.

Even though there is still little tape on him, Utah might be able to use Taylor Hendricks to their advantage. Having a young, quick player like Hendricks to guard both forward positions and potentially a small ball center, may work in Utah’s favor. In his last two outings, Hendricks is averaging 7.5 PPG and 2 RPG along with 2 BPG. His ability to stretch the floor as well with the confidence in his perimeter shooting may need to have some heavy consideration for rotational minutes tonight.

Key of the Game

Rebounding. Utah is third in team rebounds per game (47.1), second in the league in rebounding differential (+4.6), second in offensive rebounding differential (+3.5) and first in team offensive rebounds per game (14.3). As long as guys like John Collins and Walker Kessler can contain Russell Westbrook and Ivica Zubac in the paint, Utah should be able to control the boards and control the narrative of this game.

Injury Report

Los Angeles – Mason Plumlee (knee) Out

Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Jordan Clarkson (thigh) Probable, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) Out, Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) Probable, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m. MST on ESPN, KJZZ and Jazz+.

Author

Written by

Alma Bean

I am currently a student at the University of Utah working toward my second bachelor’s degree, this time in communication with an emphasis in journalism. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I pursue a degree in communication, I dream to bring this emphasis of journalism to the world of sports. When I’m not writing, I allow my inner basketball fan to come out as I watch previous games and highlights across the NBA to become a walking, talking sports almanac.

The Hive Sports