NBA Playoffs 2017: Clippers vs. Jazz Game 1 live stream: Watch online
By Connor Learn
The Clippers and Jazz will square off in the 4-5 matchup of the Western Conference playoffs. Both teams finished the regular season with 51-31 records, and it should be a hard fought series.
Los Angeles is back in the postseason with their talented core. The Clippers’ Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and company will seek to prove their doubters wrong this postseason. Led again by coach Doc Rivers, this team refuses to believe that their championship window has passed them by. They are eyeing success well into the playoffs, but will have to grind past a worthy adversary to get there.
Utah is a rising team in NBA circles. Led by first time All-Star Gordon Hayward and breakout center Rudy Gobert, the Jazz are breaking a four year playoff drought. Simply making the postseason isn’t enough for them, however, and they will seek to put the league on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with. This should be a hard fought series between two talented teams.
Projected Starting Lineups
Utah Jazz Los Angeles Clippers
PG George Hill Chris Paul
SG Rodney Hood J.J. Redick
SF Gordon Hayward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
PF Derrick Favors Blake Griffin
C Rudy Gobert DeAndre Jordan