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Clippers Curse: Ranking the five straight blown playoff series leads

By Keith Rivas

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate a dunk by Hayward against the LA Clippers during the first quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate a dunk by Hayward against the LA Clippers during the first quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

First round vs Utah (2017)

Their most recent defeat comes in at number two on the list. The Jazz came into Staples Center and stole Game 1 much like they stole Game 7. However, earlier in the series it was expected that the Clippers would come out the more dominant team.

Winning home court advantage thanks to tiebreakers after having the same record as Utah in the regular season, Los Angeles failed to take advantage of another opportunity.

In the first game of the series, Joe Johnson did what he does best. Another late bucket from the veteran at the buzzer was more clutch that the Clippers hoped he’d be.

Los Angeles stormed back in Game 2 and Game 3 to go up 2-1 in the series. Utah won the next two games to get their series lead back before the Clippers forced Game 7 with a win away from LA.

This loss has an added sting because of the implications it has on the future on the franchise. Not only will it directly affect how they respond in free agency — as most of their core is up on the market — but it also potentially shift their coaching direction.

Doc Rivers has failed five straight times to deliver in a playoff series where they’ve had the lead. Losing to the Jazz was the wake up call the Clippers have been waiting for.

Whether they’ll heed that call or not is another story.

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