Ivica Zubac and James Harden power Clippers to win | College News
It could also be untimely to label a recreation in early February as a “must win,” however the urgency, if not the execution, was there for the Clippers from the second they stepped onto the Intuit Dome court docket Saturday night time towards the struggling Utah Jazz.
Facing an undermanned opponent with the second-worst file within the Western Conference coming off an additional time loss much less than 24 hours earlier, the Clippers ended a three-game skid with a 130-110 victory that moved them within a half-game of sixth-place Minnesota. It additionally gave the Clippers much-needed momentum for Wednesday’s matchup with Memphis earlier than embarking on an eight-game journey, their longest of the season, beginning Thursday in Utah.
The Clippers (29-23) might unwell afford to lose a contest wherein they had been favored by 17½ factors, particularly after the rival Lakers, taking part in with out LeBron James, beat Indiana earlier within the day to improve to 31-19 and transfer into fourth within the West with their eleventh win in 13 video games.
Ivica Zubac had 26 factors and 15 rebounds, and James Harden completed with 23 factors and 17 assists. Norman Powell, taking part in in his 600th regular-season recreation, scored 26 factors, and Amir Coffey added 17 factors.
“I’ll do whatever it takes. I take my time and see how the defense plays me,” Zubac mentioned. “I haven’t been seeing a lot of double teams lately so it’s about cutting to the basket and making the right reads.”
Kawhi Leonard, who performed 33 minutes Thursday towards the Pacers — essentially the most he has logged since returning to the lineup Jan. 4 — had 10 factors in 31 minutes.
Jordan Clarkson scored the primary 11 factors for Utah (12-39), which suffered its third loss to the Clippers in three conferences this season, all in L.A. He completed with a team-high 24. The Jazz hit seven of their first 9 three-pointers to construct an early 12-point lead. Three straight baskets by Zubac pulled the Clippers within 4 and they went forward for the primary time, 29-28 on Drew Eubanks’ alley-oop jam off a go from Harden with 37 seconds left within the first quarter.
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, drives previous Utah guard Johnny Juzang during the primary half Saturday.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
The Clippers trailed by as many as 13 within the second quarter however closed with a flourish and took a 58-56 halftime lead. The lead grew to eight coming into the fourth quarter, and Coffey iced the win by swishing a nook three-pointer to give the Clippers a 118-103 lead with 2:58 left.
“It’s confidence,” Harden mentioned. “It’s a four-quarter game and it’s about studying the game as it goes on to know what they’re doing to us and taking what the game gives you.”
Eubanks, traded from the Jazz to L.A. a week in the past, sustained a left ankle sprain within the second quarter and didn’t return. He had 4 factors and three rebounds in 5 minutes.
Utah performed with a depleted roster. Cody Williams, who’d missed the final 9 video games as a result of of an ankle sprain, scored two factors in quarter-hour.
Bogdanovic’s anticipated affect
The Clippers are enthusiastic about what Bogdan Bogdanovic might present them over the ultimate stretch of the season.
The veteran guard didn’t play towards Utah as he continues to work on his conditioning after sitting out six video games as a result of of personal causes prior to being acquired from Atlanta at Thursday’s commerce deadline.
“He’ll be a shooter and gives me a runner coming off screens. He has great shooting and passing ability,” coach Tyronn Lue mentioned.
Zubac expressed pleasure about Bogdanovic becoming a member of the crew.
“You can see when he plays for Serbia that he’s a complete player, not just a scorer,” Zubac mentioned. “He’ll be a big addition for us.”
Bogdanovic mentioned he’s excited to play with future Hall of Famers on an skilled Clippers crew.
“I was at home in Atlanta talking to my family when I found out,” he mentioned. “I was expecting a trade to happen and I’m glad I ended up here. James [Harden] is one of the greatest guards ever and he makes your job easier for you. I’m in good shape and I’m ready. Fans maybe see me as just a shooter, but I can create a lot and use my IQ. This is one of the best organizations in the league and I’m only looking forward. It’s a new team and a new opportunity.”
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