LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Clippers vs Jazz: Three things we learned from Game 1

By Keith Rivas

Apr 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react during a NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 115-95. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react during a NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 115-95. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is helped off the court by teammate guard George Hill (3) and center Boris Diaw (33) after going down to an injury in the opening seconds in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is helped off the court by teammate guard George Hill (3) and center Boris Diaw (33) after going down to an injury in the opening seconds in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Clippers must hit Utah while they’re down

With starting center Rudy Gobert taken off the court shortly after tip-off, the Clippers have to take advantage of their opportunity. This means two things — better games from DeAndre Jordan as well as stronger bench presence.

Both were not in order on Saturday night, and it cost them.

Instead of being able to outplay and outpace the Jazz, Los Angeles had to find ways to keep the game close. Jordan scored just ten points in the contest, while nobody on the Los Angeles bench had double digits.

This speaks volumes. If to no one else, this should serve as a wake up call to Jamal Crawford. How he’s able to produce on a nightly basis will in all likelihood sway this series.

The Clippers have to trust him when it matters, too.

In the first game of the series, Crawford led all bench players in scoring with eight points. His only other worthwhile statistic was grabbing two boards, while not having an assist.

Depending on if Gobert returns for Game 2 or not, losing in the series opener has blown this series wide open.

Home/Los Angeles Clippers