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Can The Jazz Close-Out The Clippers At Home?

By Evan Dyal

April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a huge opportunity on hand, can the Utah Jazz close-out the LA Clippers in Game 6?

In a classic 4-5 matchup featuring two teams with identical records, LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz has been nothing short of spectacular thus far in the playoffs. It’s also been arguably the best series of the first round.

In short, this series has been defined by injuries, adjustments and close games. The largest margin of victory for any team in this series has been eight points, in which the Clippers won by in Game 2. There’s no question that these are two evenly matched teams that are battling through key injuries.

Seconds into Game 1, the Utah Jazz lost Rudy Gobert. He would go on to miss Games 2 and 3, which the Clippers took full advantage of en route to a 2-1 series lead.

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However, in Game 3, the Clippers faced their own injury issues when Blake Griffin went down with a toe issue. He’s been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Utah has capitalized on Griffin’s absence, and has railed off two-straight victories. The Jazz now lead 3-2, after a huge Game 5 victory on the road, and will have the opportunity to close-out the Clippers at home in Game 6.

Game 6

The expectation is that the Clippers will alter their starting lineup heading into Game 6. They have too, with Griffin out. LA could go small and possibly insert Austin Rivers or Raymond Felton in the starting five, or the corpse that is Paul Pierce.

Then comes the Joe Johnson problem for the Clippers. They could try to counter with Luc Mbah a Moute on him, but that leaves Gordon Hayward with a favorable matchup – and Mbah a Moute has really bothered Hayward throughout the series.

LA might have to pick their poison, but considering that Johnson has beaten them time and time again throughout the last few games, something has to be adjusted.

For the Utah Jazz, the lineup of George Hill, Rodney Hood, Hayward, Johnson and Gobert has really given the Clippers all kinds of issues.

The key for them, however, will be limiting the “others.” Chris Paul will likely get his, but as long as the Jazz keep the supporting Clippers in check, they should be in a great position to close-out LA.

Prediction

Before the series started, I predicted that the Clippers would win in 7. That was before Blake Griffin got hurt. At the end of their Game 5 loss, the Clippers, and particularly Chris Paul, looked frustrated. They looked like they knew the end was near, not only for this series, but for their team.

I like the Utah Jazz to close-out this series at home in Game 6. They’re simply healthier and will be at home.

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CP3 has been incredible this series and I expect him to be great again. I don’t think that will be enough, though. Friday will be the last game of the Clippers season, and maybe the last time we see Chris Paul in a Clippers uniform.

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