Crawford Explodes Off Bench As Clippers Fend Off Jazz
- Updated: March 25, 2017
The Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz squared off for the final time this season Saturday afternoon. This is the time of the season where playoff bound team’s like these two start to get things going and try to capture some of that momentum before the games really start to matter.
With these two battling for top playoff seeding in the Western Conference there was plenty at stake at Staples Center.
It was the Clippers that got off to the hot start out of the opening tip, but it was the battle in the post that was catching the intrigue of those watching. DeAndre Jordan of Los Angeles and Rudy Gobert of Utah each play a physical brand of basketball anchored by their defense. That physicality became clear immediately as Jordan ended the first quarter with a staggering 9 rebounds. On the day Jordan ended up with 7 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile his counterpart Gobert wound up having a stellar game on the low block with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.
While the bigs were battling for control in the paint, it was the Clippers guards that unquestionably ruled the perimeter. Chris Paul and JJ Redick each scored in double-digits with 14 and 12 points respectively but it was Clippers sixth man Jamal Crawford that took over the contest. Crawford caught fire late dropping in a season-high 28 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the field and 9 of 9 from the free throw line.
Go ahead and dance, Jamal pic.twitter.com/RKqwt8yrU8
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2017
After leading by just 2 to start the final quarter of play it was Crawford that got the team rolling again and kicked off an 8-0 run for Los Angeles that they would be able to hold onto through the final whistle.
A 108-95 Clippers win over the Jazz brings them to within just half of a game of Utah and that ever important 4th seed as the playoffs approach.
Despite bench struggles at points of this game and Paul Pierce finding his way into the rotation over reliable backups like Wes Johnson and Brandon Bass, this was a well played game for Los Angeles and a much needed win for a team trying to gain momentum down the final stretch.
Pacific Division foes the Sacramento Kings await the Clippers tomorrow back at Staples for another afternoon matchup, this one taking place at 12:30 PM PST.
Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation. Here’s to closing the gap and getting that 4 seed!
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Clippers and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!
Related Posts
About Connor Aylward
