Utah @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2017 ) Utah 104, L.A. Clippers 91

The Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a seven-game playoff series last season but both teams saw a star player leave as they meet for the first time this season on Tuesday in Salt Lake City. Clippers point guard Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets after the first-round series loss while Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward departed as a free agent to sign with the Boston Celtics.

Los Angeles has turned things over to Blake Griffin and the power forward scored 29 points in each of his team's first two games while collecting an average of 10 rebounds. "The ball just moves and our trust is really high on this team," Griffin told reporters. "I think it's something I have said over and over since the start of training camp: Everybody trusts the next pass, they trust the next defender is going to be there for them and I think when your trust is high it masks some of that newness that our team has." Utah figures to rely more on center Rudy Gobert, who posted three consecutive double-doubles to open the season after recording 58 last season. Four players average between 14 and 15 points for the Jazz, including new point guard Ricky Rubio (14.7 points, 8.3 assists).

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (2-1): Veteran Joe Ingles has been the recipient of extra playing time due to the departure of Hayward and he is averaging 14.7 points while making 12-of-19 3-point shot attempts. The 30-year-old Australian averaged 7.1 points as a reserve last season and has made at least three 3-pointers in each game, including five in Saturday's 96-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. "I got a couple good looks early and just wanted to stay aggressive," Ingles told reporters. "Obviously, I'm shooting the ball every day in practice and feel like I'm in a pretty good groove. Just trying to take good looks and it's working."

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (2-0): New starting point guard Milos Teodosic suffered a plantar fascia injury in his left foot during Saturday's win over the Phoenix Suns and will be sidelined indefinitely. The 30-year-old Serbian was a six-time All-EuroLeague selection, and tough-nosed Patrick Beverley (12.5 points, 3.5 steals) will pick up some of the ball-handling duties while Austin Rivers will move into the starting lineup. "Am I going to say will he be missed? Of course. Hell, yeah," Beverley said of Teodosic after Monday's practice. "He’s one of our best playmakers on the basketball court. Do other people have to step up, including myself? Of course."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers have won 18 of the past 20 regular-season meetings.

2. Los Angeles SF Danilo Gallinari (11.5 average) is just 7-of-27 shooting in his first two games with the team.

3. Utah SG Rodney Hood (calf) is listed as questionable after missing the previous game.

PREDICTION: Clippers 117, Jazz 110