It was about the Clippers playing the right way and playing at a high level. It was about the Clippers not looking at the woeful record of the Utah Jazz and thinking it was automatically going to be an easy night.
The Clippers took care of business from the start, building a 38-point lead after the first 24 minutes, their offense and defense on point in a 131-102 win over the Jazz that featured eight Clippers scoring in double figures.
The Clippers began the game going eight for eight from the field, including four for four from three-point range. They opened a 41-16 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. They shot 73.9% from the field in the first, going 17 for 23.
Winners in five of their last six, the Clippers (49-28) are trending in the right direction with five games left in the regular season.
“We got to win. We got to win,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before the game. “Whatever it takes to win the game, so we’re not looking at minutes restrictions or resting guys. We got to get to where we’re trying to get to. And the finish line is near, but we’re not finished yet.”
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
James Harden had his third triple-double of the season, finishing with 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. It’s the most triple-doubles by a Clipper since Lamar Odom had four during the 2000-01 season.
Paul George had a short and efficient night, scoring 14 points on five-for-nine shooting in 21 minutes. Ivica Zubac produced a double-double with 12 points on five-for-six shooting and 10 rebounds.
Terance Mann also was efficient, scoring with 19 points on eight-for-nine shooting. Norman Powell had 18 points and broke the franchise record for most three-pointers off the bench in a single season. He has 153 threes this season. Russell Westbrook had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Talen Horton-Tucker led the Jazz (29-48) with 17 points and Omer Yurtseven had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Injury update
Kawhi Leonard did not play against the Jazz because of inflammation in his right knee. He has missed three consecutive games, but Lue said Leonard is improving.
“Just day-to-day,” Lue said. “He’s progressing. He’s feeling better.”