The decisive Game 5 of the playoff matchup between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers proved its importance. Behind 27 points from Gordon Hayward the Jazz outlasted huge scoring nights from Chris Paul and J.J. Redick to beat the Clippers 96-92 to take a 3-2 lead in the first round of the Western Conference Finals.
Gordon Hayward with the nice move and pull-up J#TakeNote
(Via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/fyT7VoCAyq— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 26, 2017
This win did not take last game heroics like in Game 1, but the result was the same. The Jazz ignored the home court advantage of the Clippers and walk out of the Staples Center with an opportunity to advance to the second round for the first time since 2010. Aside from Hayward, who missed most of Game 4 with a bout of food poisoning, Utah received quality games from George Hill, Rudy Gobert, and effective offensive output from the bench. Gobert in his second game back put up 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals. Hill, despite a poor shooting night, hit clutch free throws in the fourth quarter to ice the game. Joe Johnson, like he as all series, was a spark off the bench with 14 points. Rodney Hood, who also hit a big shot in Game 4, chipped in 16. It was a total team effort from Utah who continues to do what they have all season: grind out victories.
Joe Johnson is just killing Ballmer's spirit#TakeNote
(Via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/qRKjWm6jpJ— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 26, 2017
The Clippers got a big contribution of 26 points from the sharpshooter Redick. Largely invisible for the first four games of the series, Redick came alive and provided a necessary scoring punch in the absence of Blake Griffin. Paul continues to pace the team with his stellar play. He poured in 28 points to go along with nine assists and kept Los Angeles in the game until the very end. The Clippers did get backup point guard Austin Rivers back from a strained hamstring, but he failed to make a basket. Los Angeles lost the battle in the paint, getting out-rebounded 34-28. The team that finishes with the most rebounds has won every game in the series, so the Clippers will have to crash the glass harder in Game 6.
Chris Paul catches he Jazz D slipping and buries the triple to tie it up#Clippers pic.twitter.com/eHIk5PsdFf
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 26, 2017
With their backs against the wall and heading to Salt Lake City, things do not look great for the Clippers. The return of Gobert in the middle has made things difficult for the Los Angeles offense to operate. The advantage the Clippers had in the paint with DeAndre Jordan over Boris Diaw and Derrick Favors has been dashed. Redick coming to life is certainly a welcomed boost. Because of his threat to shoot, it should keep Utah’s defenders honest. The key may be Jordan in the middle. He has been neutralized somewhat by Gobert and the Clippers will need a more ferocious game from their star center if they want to head back to Staples Center for a Game 7.
Game 6 will be Friday April 28 in Utah.
