Jazz Can’t Rebound Against Clippers, Drop Second Straight Game
Nov 3, 2019, 10:10 PM | Updated: Nov 4, 2019, 1:07 pm
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers runs upcourt during the first half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, California – The Utah Jazz lost to the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday night, surrendering a staggering 18 offensive rebounds en route to 105-94 loss.
The Jazz defense held the Clippers to 39-percent shooting from the field, but a defensive possession doesn’t end until a defensive rebound is secured, and the Jazz failed to do so far too often to hold off Los Angeles.
The Clippers grabbed eight offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter leading to 11 second-chance points.
With just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Jazz had given up second-chance opportunities off of a third of the Clippers missed shots.
Clippers have grabbed the offensive rebound on 33.3% of their missed shots (18 ORBs), leading to 27 second chance points. That — and a healthy dose of Kawhi from the midrange — is why the Clippers lead by one with 2:58.
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) November 4, 2019
The Jazz went winless on their two-game road-trip over the weekend, falling to the previously winless Sacramento Kings Friday night, then to the Clippers Sunday.
The Jazz have yet to win in the state of California, having fallen to the Lakers in the second game of the season.
Donovan Mitchell kept the Jazz afloat with a game-high 36 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz defensive lapses proved too much. Mitchell finished the game shooting 11-21 from the floor, including 4-6 from the three point line while converting 10-14 free throw attempts.
to quote @buckleupboler: "UNREAL"#TakeNote | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/1PYqhDKdxe
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 4, 2019
Mitchell’s 36 points were a season-high.
The Jazz surrendered 40 points to the Clippers in the fourth quarter, their worst quarter of the year so far.
The Jazz fall to the Clippers 105-94.
The Jazz gave up 40 points to the Clippers in the fourth quarter after an otherwise brilliant defensive performance. #TakeNote
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 4, 2019
Kawhi Leonard outscored Mitchell in the fourth with 18 points of his own. Leonard had started the game slowly, having scored just 12 points through three quarters. Leonard went 5-11 from the field in the fourth quarter, adding four free-throws and two made threes.
He shot just 4-15 to start the game.
The Jazz poor defensive rebounding haunted them for a second straight outing. Against the Kings, a Harrison Barnes offensive putback with less than four seconds remaining cost them a chance to open the road trip with a victory.
Before the Clippers outburst, the Jazz entered the night as the third-best defense in the NBA allowing just 9.8 second-chance points to opponents on average — the Clippers scored 27 second-chance points against the Jazz.
The Jazz will have to fix their rebounding issues ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are the league’s second-highest second chance scoring team in the league, averaging 17.2 put back points per outing.
Big Moment
In the final minute of the third quarter, Joe Ingles misses three straight three point attempts, including two wide open looks that could have opened up a double digit lead going into the final period.
Ingles had made both of his previous attempts in the quarter.
Ingles misses his next three point attempt with 9:49 left in the fourth quarter and wouldn’t get another shot attempt in the game.
All nine of Ingles shot attempts were three point attempts, he made three of his first five, before missing his four final attempts.
