For a series that was incredibly competitive for the first six games, Game 7 turned out to be a rout. The under-seeded Utah Jazz, behind a prolific performance from their bench, ousted the Los Angeles Clippers 104-91 in the Staples Center to win the series 4-3. This is the first playoff series win for Utah since 2010, when Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer were on the roster.
The Jazz played a terrific first quarter, but allowed the Clippers to come back and tie it up 24-24. Utah outscored Los Angeles by 16 in the second and third quarter, a deficit that proved too difficult to overcome. Rudy Gobert played with foul trouble all night and did not have a critical impact. It was actually his backup, Derrick Favors, who played a key role in the victory. Favors had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Gobert only registered one point. The rest of the Utah bench was essential, with Joe Johnson and Rodney Hood combining for 21. With Gobert being largely ineffective and Gordon Hayward starting off the game slow, the Jazz bench unit proved the deciding factor. Hayward led all Utah scorers with 26 points on 9-20 shooting.
Gordon Hayward pump fakes, got Redick to jump and he floats one in!#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/G7e4qTo5uj
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 30, 2017
For Los Angeles, this is another “what if” scenario for Doc Rivers and company. Chris Paul struggled with his shot but still managed 13 points and nine assists. DeAndre Jordan got off to a thunderous start and led the Clippers with 24 points and 17 rebounds, but his efforts are for naught. J.J. Redick only managed three points in 22 minutes, the final game heading into his free agency. The words “free agency” are going to be used frequently for the Clippers. Paul, Redick, and injured star Blake Griffin could all be on the market this offseason, so Los Angeles has major decisions to make. Even Doc Rivers has been rumored to be looking at other opportunities if ownership decides to blow up the roster.
DeAndre Jordan flies in for the one-hand jam! #ItTakesEverything pic.twitter.com/fGQ3CD5fpi
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 30, 2017
An underlying story in the aftermath of this series loss for the Clippers is the retirement of Paul Pierce. Pierce said before the season that this would be his last. He also has intentions to retire with the Boston Celtics, the team that drafted him and where he won his only championship. While this season did not end the way Pierce intended it to, there is no denying his great career and probably enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Paul Pierce walks off the court for the final timepic.twitter.com/WVC7LljAwg
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 30, 2017
Utah’s prize for muscling out a series win over the Clippers? A date with the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at Oracle Arena. The defensive prowess of the Jazz could prove troublesome for the Warriors, but the stark contrast in offensive capabilities between the two teams will be pivotal. Game 1 will be Tuesday in Oakland at 10:30 EST.
