Clippers even series with Jazz after dominant first half

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Los Angeles Clippers displayed another shooting clinic against the Utah Jazz, 118-104, and tied their Western Conference semifinals two games apiece.

Things began to click early for the Clippers after scoring an emphatic 30 points in the opening period while limiting the Jazz offense to just 13.

The suffocating zone defense Tyronn Lue implemented since the second half of Game 2 paid big time as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Nicolas Batum’s hands were all over the passing lanes.

Marcus Morris Sr. finally broke out of his shooting slump and contributed for the Clippers after dropping 24 points on six-out-of-seven shooting from three-point territory.

Leonard and Paul George continued their terrific shooting and combined for 62 points with each superstar scoring 31 apiece.

Coach Quin Snyder of Utah tried to make a run in the second half and outscored the Clippers in the final two quarters but just wasn’t enough to cut the huge double-digit lead.

Donovan Mitchell top-scored the Jazz with 37 points with five rebounds and five assists while Filipino-American Sixth man of the Year Jordan Clarkson only had eight points.

The series will shift back to Salt Lake City for Game five where Mitchell and the no. 1 seed Jazz look to defend home court and bounce back.