The Los Angeles Clippers have shortened the series deficit against the Utah Jazz – mainly thanks to the two superstars.
A stunner both offensive and defensive: Kawhi Leonard.
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After two victories in front of their own audience, the Utah Jazz had to play for the first time in the Staples Center on Saturday evening (local time) and started well in front of the unfamiliar backdrop, but lost the rhythm pretty quickly.
The Clippers, who had already made up a 2-0 deficit against the Dallas Mavericks in the previous series, came in better and better in the course of the first quarter and were already leading by 15 points at halftime. Utah was able to shorten the gap again and again in the course of the game, but never in such a way that it was exciting again from the Californians’ point of view. In the end there was an impressive 132:10 victory.
Above all, Kawhi Leonard was present offensively and defensively, collecting twelve rebounds and adding 34 points. His congenial partner Paul George, who has not yet really earned the nickname “Play-off P” he had missed, assisted with a strong 31 points.
On Utah’s side, top scorer Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, but left the floor early due to ankle problems and never returned. “I had the feeling that I could go back,” said Mitchell later, all clear, but with an 18-point deficit he did not want to risk anything. “I get along.”
