NBA Late Night Game Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Frank Martin
Buoyed by back-to-back wins, including a resounding 112-100 victory over Oklahoma City on Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers try to end one of their greatest bugaboos: winning in Utah Jazz.
The Clippers have won only once (in 2003) in 38 games at EnergySolutions Arena, which opened for the 1991-92 season. In their first meeting Jan. 17, the Jazz trounced the Clippers 108-79. Paul Millsap scored 10 of his team-high 20 points in the first quarter and Utah’s bench outscored Los Angeles’ reserves 54-32. The Clippers were without Chris Paul and Mo Williams but still have a long drought in Salt Lake City.
“They are playing well right now and they’ve got guys back,” Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said. Few were talking about Monday’s easy victory over the Thunder, instead focusing on a monster one-handed dunk by Blake Griffin over Kendrick Perkins in which he was fouled and completed a three-point play. “It was amazing, the courage he showed to even try something like that,” Millsap said.
- Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Where: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Clippers have opened as 3-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Los Angeles Clippers (12-6): It’s hard to say which impressed Paul more against Oklahoma City, Griffin’s dunk or the Clippers’ four consecutive 3-pointers in the final minute of the first half. “That's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen,” said Paul, who assisted on Griffin’s slam. “That was probably the best exchange of basketball I've ever been a part of since I've been in the NBA,” Paul said of the 12-0 run. Paul was pretty impressive too, scoring 26 points on 12-of-16 shooting and handing out 14 assists.
Utah Jazz (12-7): Utah battled back from a double-digit deficit to beat Portland 93-89 on Monday without guard Raja Bell (strained right adductor) and Al Jefferson (right ankle). The Jazz likely will be without the two against the Clippers. Bell did not practice Tuesday and was ruled out and Jefferson, who had a shot to reduce inflammation and pain, is a game-time decision. Corbin said both players could be shut down for a while to help heal their injuries.
1. Utah has won its last 15 games at home against the Clippers, dating to Jan. 22, 2003.
2. The Clippers, who had flown back from Denver the night before, didn’t seem fazed by the travel as they shot 62.5 percent from the field in the first quarter.
3. Caron Butler scored a season-high 22 points and surpassed 10,000 for his career, the 47th active NBA player to reach the milestone.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Jazz 98, Clippers 95
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al jefferson - blake griffin - chris paul - energysolutions arena - kendrick perkins - los angeles clippers - mo williams - raja bell - tyrone corbin - utah jazz
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