Joe Johnson ended Game 1Â of this series in dramatic fashion, on a buzzer-beating shot that put the Jazz ahead 97-95. Utah pulled out the victory despite losing star center Rudy Gobert at the beginning of the game.
Gobert is not expected back for Game 2. Derrick Favors scored 15 points and grabbed 6 boards in his absence and is the assumed starter moving forward. The Jazz opted to play small for long stretches during the first matchup, which enabled veteran Joe Johnson to play extended minutes. This decision played dividends as Johnson scored a team-high 21 points, including the game-winner.
Los Angeles lost a hard fought game and should be prepared to bounce back at home. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul played well on Saturday but didn’t get enough help in scoring to win at the end. The Clippers missed Austin Rivers’ presence more than some may have anticipated, and he will miss Tuesday’s game and his doubtful for Friday’s. This team should be supremely motivated to capture Game 2 at home and will play tough.
Projected starting lineups
             Clippers                                 Jazz
PG     Chris Paul                                George Hill
SG     J.J. Redick                                Joe Ingles
SF     Luc Richard Mbah a Moute                Gordon Hayward
PF     Blake Griffin                             Boris Diaw
C       DeAndre Jordan                          Derrick Favors