The Los Angeles Clippers managed to rally from a 2-0 series deficit to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in seven games. Now, they are set to battle the top-seeded Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals.

Los Angeles has won its first three road games (1-3 at home) in the 2021 NBA playoffs. After beating the Mavs on Sunday in Game 7, it’s a short turnaround for the visiting Clippers. The Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies in five games in the opening round. As a result, they had a six-day rest advantage over the Clips.

Game 1 of the second round takes place in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night (10 p.m. ET) at Vivint Arena. In anticipation of the series-opening contest, let’s make four bold predictions for Game 1.

1. Joe Ingles scores 15+ points, dishes 8+ assists

Jazz starting point guard Mike Conley (right hamstring strain) has been ruled out of Game 1. Conley exited Utah’s Game 5 victory over the Grizzlies with the ailment and is still not healthy enough to suit up.

With Conley sidelined, Joe Ingles is expected to enter the starting lineup. Ingles had a quiet series against the Grizzlies, averaging just 6 points and 2.8 assists per contest.  The guard/forward attempted five or fewer shots in four of the five contests. His role on offense, however, should increase with Conley unable to play.

Ingles stepped up his offensive output when Conley was injured this season. Ingles averaged 15.8 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 21 games without Conley in the lineup. Conley earned his first career NBA All-Star appearance and his impact will be felt on both ends of the floor if multiple players on Utah’s squad do not elevate their play.

Along with superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, Ingles can shoulder the load of the point general duties sans Conley. With added offensive opportunities for Ingles, look for the 33-year-old to score at least 15 points and generate eight or more assists in Game 1.

2. Kawhi Leonard drops 30+ points

Two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard dominated for the Clippers in Games 6 and 7 against the Mavs—accumulating 73 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists and six steals combined in the two elimination contests.

Leonard faces a more challenging matchup this round. Jazz forward Royce O’Neale, a defensive specialist, will guard Leonard.

While O’Neale is an above-average defender, Leonard enters on a scorching-hot tear. In the postseason, great offense almost always beats the strongest of defenses. A player of Leonard’s caliber will be tough to slow down. Leonard hits the 30-point plateau for the third time this postseason in Game 1.

3. Jordan Clarkson posts 25+ points

Another Jazz player who benefits statistically with Conley sidelined is Jordan Clarkson. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson logged per-game marks of 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 30.3 minutes in 20 appearances with Conley inactive.

Clarkson is the best scoring reserve in the NBA. He produced five 30-point outings this season, including two 40-point explosions, in a career year.

The combo guard should see minutes in the low 30s in Game 1. Always given the green light on offense, Clarkson mighteven  attempt over 20 shots from the field, especially if he finds his grove early.

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After averaging 18.6 points per contest in the Western Conference quarterfinals, Clarkson steps up to the tune of 25-plus points in Game 1.

4. Jazz win, cover spread

Despite Conley being inactive for Game 1, the oddsmakers list the host Jazz as 3-point favorites. Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert plays a major role in this spread. The only player on the Clippers with comparable size to the 7-foot-1 Gobert is Ivica Zubac, who played sparingly in the opening round.

The Clippers could elect to reinsert Zubac into the rotation, or continue to play small-ball lineups with Nicolas Batum as the de facto center. Regardless of the matchup, Gobert should have a major impact on the glass and defensively.

Gobert’s elite rim protection could make life difficult for the Clippers, who struggle to create shots in the paint. Against Gobert, the jump-shot-dependent Clippers need to hit on all cylinders from the outside.

The biggest factor in the spread, however, is the Clippers’ lack of preparation time for this series. With one day separating their Game 7 win over the Mavericks and Tuesday’s Game 1 road tilt at Utah, the Clippers are in a tough spot.

Historically, teams that win Game 7 hold a subpar 32-47 (.400) record in Game 1 of the following series. This trend continues in Salt Lake City as the Jazz beat the Clippers and cover the 3-point spread.