Jazz Close Preseason With Road Matchup Against Clippers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz will complete their three-game preseason schedule with a road contest against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.

The Jazz are 2-0 to open the preseason with back to back wins over the Phoenix Suns in Salt Lake City. The Clippers have lost both of their preseason matchups with the Los Angeles Lakers, including a 25 point blowout loss on Sunday.

Through two games, the Jazz are led in scoring by guard Mike Conley who is averaging 16 points per game. Though the guard is connecting on just 30 percent of his shots from the field, he’s connected on 60 percent of his three-point attempts.

Quin Snyder on Mike Conley's play during training camp.

"I think the more that he's able to communicate with his teammates that's something that really helps him gets him focused in the game."

Conley leads the Jazz in scoring at 16 ppg so far.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2020

Conley’s play is a welcome sign for the Jazz who saw the veteran acquisition struggle to begin last season before missing time with an injured hamstring.

The former Memphis Grizzlies guard saw a steep climb in performance during the NBA restart in Orlando, a level of play that has carried over to the preseason.

Conley averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 assists, and shot 48 percent from the floor and 53 percent from the free-throw line in the postseason.

Two Jazz players could make their season debuts with the team in Los Angeles. Royce O’Neale has cleared NBA medical protocol and was back with the team on Wednesday.

This means both Royce O’Neale and Shaquille Harrison could be available tomorrow. https://t.co/EcopvEJ7z7

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 17, 2020

For the first time, Shaquille Harrison, who signed with the Jazz last week did not show up on the team’s injury report. Harrison has been rehabbing from a broken hand he suffered in the offseason.

Rookie Udoka Azubuike will miss the game with lingering knee soreness.

Jazz Will See A Different Clippers Roster

The Clippers led in scoring by Lou Williams and Paul George who are averaging 9.5 points apiece during the preseason. New head coach Tyronn Lue has opted to limit the minute of his starters through the preseason to persevere them for the upcoming gauntlet.

Lue replaced Doc Rivers, who had coached the @LAClippers for the past seven seasons.#NBA #Clippers https://t.co/jxKvP3knkB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 15, 2020

One welcome trend for the Clippers is shooting percentages from George. After a disappointing playoff run, George has connected on 46 percent of his field-goal attempts and 57 percent of his three-point attempts.

The Clippers lost Sixth man of the Year winner Montrezl Harrell to the crosstown Lakers but added big man Serge Ibaka to the mix during the offseason. Guard Luke Kennard and forward Nicolas Batum also joined the team during the shortened break.

The Jazz and Clippers tip-off at 8 pm MT. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.