The Utah Jazz failed in their quest to finish off the LA Clippers, losing 98-93, in Game 6 on Friday. Joe Johnson had an excellent opportunity to send that game into overtime but his three-pointer with time winding down just missed the mark. Action now shifts to Staples Center for Game 7 – the only do-or-die game of the first round of this year’s NBA playoffs.
For the Jazz to record the all-important victory this coming Sunday, they will need to improve on their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. Utah shot just 41 percent from the field on Friday, including going 7-for-26 from downtown. Iso Joe was a non-factor in Game 6, shooting just 3-of-9 from the floor. The Jazz will need a great Game 7 from Johnson who’s averaging 16.7 points in this series. Another thing that head coach Quin Snyder must address is his team’s sloppy play. Yes, the Jazz committed just eight turnovers on Friday but the Clippers translated that into 23 huge points. The Jazz were minus-14 in points off turnovers in Game 6.
The good news for Utah is that Rudy Gobert is fit and ready to go for Game 7. The French big man was taken out of the game in the fourth quarter of Game 6 after suffering a mild left ankle sprain. X-rays were negative and Gobert’s expected to suit up for Game 7. He’s averaging 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the series against the Clippers.
The total has gone under in Utah’s last five road games.
Few things in sports are better than a Game 7 in the NBA Playoffs. Chris Paul made sure there will be one in this Western Conference First Round series, scoring 29 points in a tour-de-force performance on Friday night. The nine-time All-Star was simply unstoppable in Game 6, finishing with eight assists, three rebounds and two steals.
It wasn’t just Paul who starred for the Clippers in this ballgame as four other LA players scored in double-figures in this must-win clash. Starters Luc Mbah a Moute, DeAndre Jordan and Austin Rivers each scored 13 points while Jamal Crawford contributed 12 markers off the bench. It’s going to take a total team effort for the Clippers to beat the Jazz especially now that superstar Blake Griffin is out for the rest of the postseason with a right toe injury.
For the Clippers to record the victory in Game 7, they will need to continue their excellent play on the offensive end. They overcame a slow start in Game 6 to shoot at a high 49 percent clip from the field. Jordan has been superb in this series, recording double-doubles in each of the past six games. It’s Paul, however, who will be the key in this winner-take-all contest. The Point God is the Clips’ chief facilitator, averaging 27.3 points and 10.0 assists in the series against the Jazz.
The Clippers are 7-3 SU and 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
