Ivica Zubac and James Harden help Clippers snap out of slump and beat Jazz
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It may be premature to label a game in early February as a “must win,” but the urgency, if not the execution, was there for the Clippers from the moment they stepped onto the Intuit Dome court Saturday night against the struggling Utah Jazz.
Facing an undermanned opponent with the second-worst record in the Western Conference coming off an overtime loss less than 24 hours earlier, the Clippers ended a three-game skid with a 130-110 victory that moved them within a half-game of sixth-place Minnesota. It also gave the Clippers much-needed momentum for Wednesday’s matchup with Memphis before embarking on an eight-game trip, their longest of the season, starting Thursday in Utah.
Despite scoring 42 points in the first quarter, the Clippers fade in the second half and can’t mount a comeback in a 119-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The Clippers (29-23) could ill afford to lose a contest in which they were favored by 17½ points, especially after the rival Lakers, playing without LeBron James, beat Indiana earlier in the day to improve to 31-19 and move into fourth in the West with their 11th win in 13 games.
Ivica Zubac had 26 points and 15 rebounds, and James Harden finished with 23 points and 17 assists. Norman Powell, playing in his 600th regular-season game, scored 26 points, and Amir Coffey added 17 points.
“I’ll do whatever it takes. I take my time and see how the defense plays me,” Zubac said. “I haven’t been seeing a lot of double teams lately so it’s about cutting to the basket and making the right reads.”
Kawhi Leonard, who played 33 minutes Thursday against the Pacers — the most he has logged since returning to the lineup Jan. 4 — had 10 points in 31 minutes.
Jordan Clarkson scored the first 11 points for Utah (12-39), which suffered its third loss to the Clippers in three meetings this season, all in L.A. He finished with a team-high 24. The Jazz hit seven of their first nine three-pointers to build an early 12-point lead. Three straight baskets by Zubac pulled the Clippers within four and they went ahead for the first time, 29-28 on Drew Eubanks’ alley-oop jam off a pass from Harden with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Clippers trailed by as many as 13 in the second quarter but closed with a flourish and took a 58-56 halftime lead. The lead grew to eight entering the fourth quarter, and Coffey iced the win by swishing a corner three-pointer to give the Clippers a 118-103 lead with 2:58 left.
“It’s confidence,” Harden said. “It’s a four-quarter game and it’s about studying the game as it goes on to know what they’re doing to us and taking what the game gives you.”
Eubanks, traded from the Jazz to L.A. a week ago, sustained a left ankle sprain in the second quarter and did not return. He had four points and three rebounds in five minutes.
Utah played with a depleted roster. Cody Williams, who’d missed the last nine games because of an ankle sprain, scored two points in 15 minutes.
Bogdanovic’s expected impact
The Clippers are excited about what Bogdan Bogdanovic could provide them over the final stretch of the season.
The veteran guard did not play against Utah as he continues to work on his conditioning after sitting out six games because of personal reasons prior to being acquired from Atlanta at Thursday’s trade deadline.
“He’ll be a shooter and gives me a runner coming off screens. He has great shooting and passing ability,” coach Tyronn Lue said.
Zubac expressed excitement about Bogdanovic joining the team.
“You can see when he plays for Serbia that he’s a complete player, not just a scorer,” Zubac said. “He’ll be a big addition for us.”
Bogdanovic said he is excited to play with future Hall of Famers on an experienced Clippers team.
“I was at home in Atlanta talking to my family when I found out,” he said. “I was expecting a trade to happen and I’m glad I ended up here. James [Harden] is one of the greatest guards ever and he makes your job easier for you. I’m in good shape and I’m ready. Fans maybe see me as just a shooter, but I can create a lot and use my IQ. This is one of the best organizations in the league and I’m only looking forward. It’s a new team and a new opportunity.”
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