LOS ANGELES – Following the heartbreaking defeat to the Utah Jazz in Game 1, the L.A. Clippers came out much more aggressive for Game 2, winning 99-91 to even up the series at 1-1. Following the unimpressive start to the first game by the Clippers, one they arguably should've won after center Rudy Gobert went down 17 seconds in, they led wire-to-wire in this one, building their lead to as many as 13 points.
Coach Doc Rivers preached playing downhill before the game, and his team did just that getting out to a 12-point lead at 27-15 in the opening period. DeAndre Jordan, who had just 10 points in Game 1, scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first 12 minutes of the game.
“That was great, said Rivers. “I thought we got it through movement. We went downhill a lot more tonight. The guy that went downhill didn't necessarily get the shot, [sometimes] somebody else got the shot.
“I thought also it allowed D.J to get behind the defense a lot because of the penetration and the ball movement. I thought every time we got stagnant, they made a run. Every time we pushed the ball up the floor, I loved, there were times when we scored right after they scored. So we did a better job of dictating the pace.”
The Jazz crept closer throughout the game, getting to within three at one point, but the Clippers kept hammering their way into the painted area and scoring at will. After scoring 40 points in the paint in their Game 1 loss, the Clippers put up 34 points in the paint in the first half and finished with 60 in the area.
“I think we've got to be better executing our game plan,” said Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, who finished with 20 points. “Especially there in the first quarter, it seemed like they got a lot of stuff right there at the rim, easy dunks, lobs, and some of that's what they do. They're good at it. They're a good team, but we for sure have to be better. I think we will be.”
The 60 points in the paint marked a major improvement from Game 1, and the ball hopped around a lot more as well. Every player who played last night dished out at least an assist with the exception of DeAndre Jordan, who had an array of dunks every time he touched the ball.
“I think we moved the ball great, but all in all, I think our pace was pretty good all night,” said Chris Paul. “Whether they scored, missed, or whatnot, we just tried to keep the tempo and the pace up.”
Utah got within six points a couple times in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers responded with a basket every time, including a clutch Blake Griffin three-pointer with just over a minute left to essentially ice the game. Griffin finished with 24 points and five rebounds. Paul poured in 21 points, 10 assists, and three steals. Jordan also double-doubled with 18 points, and 15 rebounds.
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Surprisingly, a day after Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Fizdale went off on the officiating for a pretty understandable free throw disparity against the San Antonio Spurs. the Clippers saw a lack of calls on their end. L.A. scored 60 paint points on 30-44 shots, but only got to the line eight times, two of which were as a result of intentional fouling late in the game. Meanwhile, the Jazz made 19-31 in the painted area, and shot 22 free throws in the game. Three Clippers had four or more fouls, with DeAndre Jordan fouling out in the final minutes of Game 2.
“I liked our physicality tonight,” added coach Rivers. “It was a physical game. We had 60 points in the paint and only eight free throws. That's amazing when you think about it. Not that it was fouls or anything, they just allowed both teams to play. It looked fun.”
L.A. now heads out to Salt Lake City where they'll take on the Jazz on Friday (Game 3) and Sunday (Game 4). Without home-court advantage, the Clippers will need to win one of the two upcoming road games to avoid going down 3-1 in the series.
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