What to Watch For (Game Three): Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers

The Utah Jazz will look to take a 3-0 series lead as they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center later this evening

Donovan Mitchell (45) calls out a play against the Los Angeles Clippers

Snapshot of Game Two:

The Utah Jazz were the superior team on Thursday night, jumping out to an early lead, and holding that lead through all but ten seconds in the fourth quarter. Utah would remain strong, scoring timely points and making important stops in the final five minutes to finish off the Clippers and win game two 117-111.

Donovan Mitchell had 27-points in the first half, and finished with 37 total points to lead the Jazz to victory. Jordan Clarkson was clutch for Utah, knocking down 24-points of his own and hit timely three-pointers to slow down a Clippers surge in the third quarter. Rudy Gobert was awarded his third Defensive Player of the Year Award before the game, and finished with 20-rebounds, 3-blocks, and 2-steals. Joe Ingles broke out of his shooting slump, finishing with 19-points on the night and adding in his signature trash talk along the way. Bojan Bogdanovic came up big on the defensive end for the Jazz, locking down Kawhi Leonard while getting 4-rebounds and a steal on the night.

Utah will look to extend their series lead to 3-0 tonight against the Clippers in game three. 

Playoff Schedule:

(Game 1) Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 8:00pm MST: Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (TNT)                               Jazz Won 112-109

(Game 2) Thursday June 10, 2021 at 8:00pm MST: Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (ESPN)                              Jazz Won 117-111

(Game 3) Saturday June 12, 2021 at 6:30pm MST: Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers (ABC)

(Game 4) Monday June 14, 2021 at 8:00pm MST: Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers (TNT)

(Game 5) Wednesday June 16, 2021 at TBD: Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (TNT)

(Game 6) Friday June 18, 2021 at TBD: Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN)

(Game 7) Sunday June 20, 2021 at TBD: Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (N.A.)

Jordan Clarkson (00) scores over Kawhi Leonard (2) and Nicolas Batum (33) 

Fun Facts:

The Jazz will once again wear a rotation of their Association and City Uniforms during round two of the Western Conference Playoffs. During games one and two, the Jazz will wear their black and gradient jerseys. In games three and four, they will break out their home-white uniforms. If the series extends past game four, the Jazz will wear their black and gradient jerseys in games five and seven, and their white uniforms in game six. An easier way to think of it is, if the Jazz are at home, they'll be in their City Uniforms. If the Jazz are away, they'll be in their Association Uniforms.

The Jazz were 2-1 against the Los Angeles Clippers during the regular season. They won by 6-points and 18-points in the first two matchups, before losing by 4 in the final showdown.

It was announced that Vivint Smart Home Arena will be at full-capacity for the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Masks are still required. Tickets are on sale now and can be found here.

The Utah Jazz finished the regular season with a 52-20 record, and obtained the number one overall seed. They are currently 4-1 in postseason play. The Jazz will take on the fourth seed Los Angeles Clippers in round two and will have home court advantage throughout the entirety of the NBA Playoffs.

Jordan Clarkson became the Utah Jazz first ever Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, beating out teammate Joe Ingles and New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose. The announcement was made on TNT, and Ingles helped present the award. Read more about it here.

It was announced that Rudy Gobert is the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, beating out Ben Simmons (76ers) and Draymond Green (Warriors) for the award. This is Gobert's third time winning the honor, taking home the award in 2018 and 2019 as well. Read more about the Jazz second award winner here.

It was announced that Quin Snyder took third place in the NBA's Coach of the Year voting. Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks won the award, and Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns came in second place.

Whichever team wins the series between the Jazz and Clippers will take on the winner of the Phoenix Suns (3-0) and the Denver Nuggets (0-3) in the Western Conference Finals.

Bojan Bogdanovic (44) scores over Marcus Morris (8)

Injury Report:

Mike Conley (right hamstring strain) is listed as 'out' for the Jazz in game three of the Western Conference Semifinals. He is currently the only player on the Jazz injury report.

Serge Ibaka (back) is the only Clippers player on their injury report. He is listed as 'out' against the Jazz.

The betting odds for Game three between the Jazz and Clippers:

Line: Los Angeles -5

Over/Under: 223

Money Line: Utah +175 / Los Angeles -200

How to Consume:

The (1) Utah Jazz will take on the (4) Los Angeles Clippers in round two of the Western Conference Playoffs. Game three will tip off at 6:30 pm MST. Jazz fans can watch the game on ABC, and can also tune into the game on 97.5FM or 1280AM.

Royce O'Neale (23) scores over Nicolas Batum (33)

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