Jazz At Clippers: Game Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Welcome to KSL Sports Game Night as the Utah Jazz face the Los Angeles Clippers in the second game of a two-game series.

The Jazz beat the Clippers 114-96 on Wednesday night, though this game will look significantly different as both players are returning starters to the floor.

Mike Conley will return for the Jazz after a six-game absence, while Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum, and Luke Kennard will return for the Clippers.

Follow this page throughout the night for updates on coaches’ quotes, starting lineups, and thoughts and highlights throughout the game.

👀 on two wins in Tinseltown.#TakeNote #UTAatLAChttps://t.co/nqcrgxBpWx

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 19, 2021

Pregame Quotes

Shortly before Quin Snyder spoke to the media the Jazz announced Conley would be available against the Clippers. The guard suffered a similar hamstring injury last season, returned after a short absence, and reaggravated the injury before missing nearly another month of basketball.

Snyder spoke on the team’s approach in light of last year’s incident.

“There are always things that are put in place, whether it be a minutes restriction or they’re constantly watching how he’s moving, how he’s playing — with feedback from Mike,” Snyder said. “So he’s ready to go.”

BREAKING: Mountain Mike is back. 🏔@MCONLEY10 #TakeNote #UTAatLAC https://t.co/ZiXiCjVPsW

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

Conley will be on a minutes restriction, though Snyder wouldn’t elaborate on how many minutes the guard is allowed to play.

“We’ll try to mirror our normal rotations that we had prior to him getting injured,” Snyder said.

The Clippers meanwhile will see the return of Leonard and Batum, each of whom missed the last two games with various injuries, as well as George who has missed the last seven games with a bone injury in his toe.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will play for the @LAClippers tonight against the @utahjazz

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 20, 2021

“They’ve been reacting to the bike, been reacting good to the workouts they’ve been doing when we got on the floor,” Lue said. “And so tonight is the night.”

Starting Lineups

Starting lineups for the @utahjazz and @LAClippers. pic.twitter.com/ql9pf3eu91

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 20, 2021

First Quarter

• Conley starts hot by hitting his first three, then has a nice right handed floater and a step-back jumper.
• Donovan Mitchell struggling after facing Patrick Beverley last game is a little concerning and he’ll got to the bench with two fouls, 0-4 shooting, and a turnover.

Guess who's back, back again. @MCONLEY10’s back, tell a friend. 🎶 #TakeNote #UTAatLAChttps://t.co/0yFs4GANI0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

• Nice start for Derrick Favors, the Clippers have struggled with the Jazz bigs this season.
• Clippers are doing a great job running the Jazz off the three-point line, but even the shots the Jazz are taking they, are struggling to connect on.

At the end of the first quarter, the @utahjazz trail the @LAClippers 31-23.

Jazz shooting just 1-6 from the three-point line. Need to take more to make more. #TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

Second Quarter

• Jazz no 1-9 from the three-point line and have missed nine straight.
• The Clippers defense is getting a lot of credit on the broadcast, but the Jazz have missed a ton of good looks they usually make.
• Derrick Favors has quietly had a good game for the Jazz.

This one is starting to get away from the @utahajzz quickly.

They trail the @LAClippers 47-33 with 6:24 left in the first half.

Jazz just 3-15 from three, and the Clippers are running off the Jazz misses. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/zDmk7uyzwo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

• Gobert’s hands have been bad tonight, went up soft on what should have been a dunk, gave up a turnover off a rebound, tried a bad iso against Ibaka.
• Mitchell hits a very tough push shot reaching around the defender, then hits his next sweeping layup, good to get him started.
• Mitchell then finds Bogdanovic for a three, followed by a coast to coast layup from Bogey.

Despite a very poor first half from the @utahjazz they only trail the @LAClippers 57-49.

Nice 9-2 close to the half from the Jazz who kept this game from getting away.

Mitchell found his touch late. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/jxJoU0EVxM

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

Third Quarter

• Mitchell has come out aggressively looking for his shot in the third quarter and has been the best player in the half.
• Jazz defense is looking more locked in as well not letting the Clippers run their sets which is resulting in Ibaka vs. Gobert one on ones, which the Jazz will gladly take.

Great start in the second half from the @utahjazz and they have cut the @LAClippers lead to just 5.

Donovan Mitchell suddenly up to 11 points.

Clippers lead 59-54 with 9:14 left in the third. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/8FrujLXS7V

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

• Jazz playing really well defensively in the third quarter and the Clippers look frustrated.
• Mitchell is up to 18 points after a really bad start. He’s found a way to fix bad games, shows his veteran experience.

Donovan Mitchell had Paul George on skates. 👀⛸ #TakeNote #UTAatLAC https://t.co/IJpS688zSn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

• After building a two point lead, the struggle to close the quarter with Mitchell off the floor and trail by four heading into fourth.
• Going to be interesting to see if the Jazz can survive the non Mitchell minutes over the final quarter.

Not a perfect close to the third quarter from the @utahjazz, but they trail by just 4 after trailing by 15 in the first half. @LAClippers lead the Jazz 79-75 with 12 minutes to play.

Mitchell has 18 for the Jazz, Leonard has 24 for LA. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/c10b5JxtK5

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

Fourth Quarter

• Clippers open the quarter by rebuilding their lead to 7 and the Jazz have had a couple of silly mistakes and turnovers that have allowed it to grow.
• Jazz facing their toughest close to a game in weeks.

Quick reset:

The @utahjazz trail the @LAClippers 91-86 with 6:43 left in the game.

Jazz have the ball but haven't had been able to generate much offense in the quarter, scoring just 11 points so far. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/57OapVpPu0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021

• Marcus Morris has been a major problem for the Jazz when the Clippers go small. He’s got 17 on 7-9 shooting. Jazz have found some bad matchups with Niang, Clarkson, and Bogdanovic guarding him.
• These are good things to learn in the playoffs.
• Jazz can’t secure defensive rebounds and it’s going to cost them this game.
• Mitchell keeps the Jazz close by hitting clutch threes, but the Clippers made their free-throws.

Why do all good things come to an end?#TakeNote #UTAatLAChttps://t.co/9V6TbVE75o

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2021