Jazz Fall For Third Straight Game, Move Towards Elimination With Game 5 Loss To Clippers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz went cold in the second half and fell for the third consecutive game to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Jazz hosted the Clippers at Vivint Arena for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Wednesday, June 16.

Paul George carried the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers with 37 points and led L.A. to a 119-111 victory.

A Tale Of Two Halves

The Jazz got off to a slow start and a couple of turnovers led them into a 5-0 hole only 1:20 into the game. Utah’s start forced Jazz head coach Quin Snyder to call and early timeout.

Following the timeout, the Jazz began to click on offense.

Bojan Bogdanovic torched the Clippers during the opening 12 minutes of action by shooting 6-7 from beyond the arc.

out of his mind 🤯#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Oy3q0uqOiE

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 17, 2021

At the end of the first quarter, the Jazz led 37-36.

I am not sure who feels better after the first quarter here.

Both teams were absolutely on fire, and it's only a one point game.

Odds probably favor the Jazz that their hot shooting keeps up and the Clippers cool off.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 17, 2021

Utah’s hot shooting continued during the second quarter, thanks to Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson.

The Jazz finished the half shooting a blistering 62.2 percent from the field, including 17-3o for 56.7 percent from distance.

step-back 🕷#TakeNote | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/DkNMkZNhCj

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 17, 2021

Utah’s 17 three-pointers were the second most by a team in any half of a postseason game in league history. The Cleveland Cavaliers own the record with 18 first half three-pointers made during the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2016.

the threes, they're falling pic.twitter.com/kkOguITXxh

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 17, 2021

Unfortunately for Utah, Los Angeles also shot the ball at an impressive clip. The Clippers shot 54.8 percent overall and 44.4 percent from three during the first two quarters.

At halftime, the Jazz were led by Bogdanovic’s 23 points. Los Angeles was carried by 22 points from George.

Final 24 Minutes

A poor third quarter put the Jazz in dire situation in the second half.

After sinking 17 triples in the first half, Utah failed to connected on a three-point attempt during the opening 12 minutes of the second half. The Jazz shot 27.3 percent from the field and 0-10 from beyond the arc in the third quarter.

Marcus Morris ignited the Clippers’ offense with 12 of his 24 points.

Rudy Gobert anchored Utah’s porous defense but helped on the offense glass to keep the Jazz in the game.

🗣RUUUUUDY!#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/zuC9Dhyhhj

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 17, 2021

The Clippers outscored the Jazz by 14 points in the third quarter.

Los Angeles held a 92-83 lead going to the final 12 minutes.

Potentially the last 12 minutes at home for the @utahjazz this season if they don't find some magic in the fourth here.

Urgency has to be way up, and of course they could a few threes falling again.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 17, 2021

Utah’s struggled continued to start the last quarter.

Midway through the quarter, Jazzman Joe Ingles stole a pass and fed a trailing Gobert for a slam dunk. Gobert’s jam forced a L.A. timeout.

With 5:46 remaining, Mitchell capped a 7-0 run with an impressive and-one shot.

big bucket Spida 🕷#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ISWM98x08v

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 17, 2021

Clippers guard Reggie Jackson proceeded to go on a personal 5-0 run to stretch Los Angeles’ lead back to eight points.

Utah was never able to recover and lost for the third straight game.

The Jazz struggled on defense and shot 3-24 on three-pointers in the second half.

Utah Jazz

Six Jazz players scored in double figures, led by Bogdanovic’s 32 points on 10-20 shooting, including 9-17 from three.

Bojan Bogdanovic came out on fire 😮⁰⁰He hit six 3-pointers and is up to 18 PTS after the 1Q pic.twitter.com/NWhPleqVmx

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 17, 2021

Despite being hampered by his injured ankle, Mitchell poured in 21 points on 6-19 field goals.

Gobert posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He added one assists and one block. Gobert failed to record a blocked shot.

Jordan Clarkson led Utah’s bench with 15 points on 5-12 shooting.

Utah finished the game shooting 45.0 percent overall and 20-54 for 37.0 percent from deep.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers had three players score at least 20 points, led by George’s 37 points.

Morris and Jackson added 25 points and 22 points, respectively.

Reggie Jackson knocking down a TOUGH bucket 😤 pic.twitter.com/lrVqVpAjsq

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 17, 2021

Los Angeles shot 51.2 percent from the field, including 40.0 percent on three-pointers.

Up Next

Leonard missed the game with a right knee strain and Mike Conley missed his fourth straight contest with a hamstring strain.

With the result, the Clippers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Clippers win a WILD one in Utah 💥

LA takes a 3-2 series lead pic.twitter.com/t5vzV7RZL4

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 17, 2021

It was the first three-game losing for the Jazz this season.

First time all season the Jazz lost three games in a row.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 17, 2021

Game 6 between Utah and Los Angeles will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18 at 8 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on ESPN and 97.5 FM.