Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Match Player Stats On Apr 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Apr 19, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin scored 24 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers earned a 99-91 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday at Staples Center.

Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, who evened the best-of-seven series at a game apiece. DeAndre Jordan collected 18 points and 15 rebounds for Los Angeles before fouling out with 52 seconds left.

Gordon Hayward scored 20 points and Derrick Favors and Joe Johnson added 13 apiece for the Jazz. George Hill chipped in 12 points and seven boards.

Game 3 is Friday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

The Clippers never trailed. However, despite building double-digit leads on several occasions, they couldn't shake the Jazz until late in the contest. The Jazz closed to within six on five occasions in the fourth quarter.

Hayward hit two foul shots to close the gap to 94-88 with 2:10 remaining, but Griffin converted a 3-pointer with 1:35 left for a nine-point advantage. A layup by Joe Ingles sliced the deficit to 97-91 with 21 seconds remaining. Two free throws by Los Angeles' Jamal Crawford, who finished with 10 points, with 13.4 seconds remaining capped the scoring.

The Clippers led by as many as 13 in the first half before seizing a 51-42 lead at the break. The Clippers outshot the Jazz 56.1 percent to 40.5 percent in the first half.

For the game, the Clippers shot 52.4 percent to 45.7 percent for the Jazz.

Los Angeles enjoyed a considerable edge on points in the paint, outscoring Utah 60-38.

NOTES: Jazz coach Quin Snyder said he has no idea when C Rudy Gobert (hyperextended left knee/bone contusion) will return. "Under the circumstances, I think he's in a good place and his focus is on trying to get back as quickly as he can," Snyder said. "From what you kind of felt initially, we feel fortunate that there was nothing more serious because it certainly looked like that when it happened. As far as exactly where he is in the process, I think it's hard to say." ... Los Angeles G Chris Paul made his 1,000th career 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. ... Clippers G Austin Rivers (hamstring) went through shooting drills before the game but did not play.