Utah Jazz: Series Win Over LA Clippers Within Reach

Apr 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) and Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) celebrate after a Johnson three point basket during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) and Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) celebrate after a Johnson three point basket during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an inspired comeback from Joe Johnson, Rodney Hood and company, the Utah Jazz now find themselves in a position to defeat the LA Clippers in the first round.

The Utah Jazz have had some pretty bad luck thus far during their first-round playoff series; losing Rudy Gobert 17 seconds into Game 1, only to have him return in the same game that Gordon Hayward falls to food poisoning.

Despite every unlucky bounce that has gone the way of the Clippers, the Jazz are perhaps in prime position to win the series that is now tied 2-2 after four games. Although the Jazz are without home-court advantage, the unfortunate injury to Blake Griffin outweighs the venue in which the games are played.

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Game 4 may have been the downfall of the Clippers this series as seemingly every event that occurred, no matter how minuscule, was to the aid of the road team. For the second straight game, LA was the beneficiary of some poor officiating. The Jazz’s active hands on the defensive end only worked to their disadvantage with most deflections leading to lucky Clipper hoops. Utah could have put the game beyond the grasp of the Clippers early had George Hill, Gordon Hayward, Joe Ingles and Rodney Hood had been able to capitalize on wide open scoring opportunities.

However great Rodney Hood may have been down the stretch, how Derrick Favors‘ performance helped off the bench, and how effectively Joe Ingles ran the pick and roll, the game ball undoubtedly goes to Joe Johnson. Iso Joe, Joe Cool, J-Smoke, Joe Jesus if you will, managed to reel off 11 straight Jazz points to propel his team to a much-needed victory. It was nothing short of a phenomenal performance that was the key in another Jazz playoff win.

Apr 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) shoots the ball over LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) shoots the ball over LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

The Utah Jazz now look ahead to a tough yet winnable Game 5 in Los Angeles. The game plan should stay very similar with a few minor tweaks. A lot of that game plan will be dependent on the limitations of Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward (currently listed as questionable).

The objectives that don’t change are denying the roll pass to DeAndre Jordan, keeping Chris Paul in check however difficult it may be, and to have people not named Chris Paul or Jamal Crawford take as many shots as possible.

What has to change is the gusto in which the Jazz push the ball up the floor. Even after missed shots and while the Jazz were trying to mount a comeback, George Hill was strolling into the frontcourt with 17 seconds left on the shot clock. I understand that the Jazz have built an identity by dragging teams out and making the game slow and messy, but the quicker the ball enters the frontcourt, the quicker you can get into your offense.

Another issue the Jazz have to address is the aggressiveness of the pick and roll ball handler. Joe Ingles and George Hill became far less effective as the game wore on because they refused to shoot the ball in the paint earlier in the game. This is where Ingles in particular needs to attempt some shots coming off the pick to keep the defense in check. By the end of the game, DeAndre Jordan didn’t bother hedging or coming over on the ball handler because he only had intent to pass. This resulted in a few turnovers late that almost proved very costly.

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If the Jazz can move the ball well, get some early offense, knock down open shots, play some solid defense and stay physical, I can’t see a reason as to why they won’t win this series, provided no more unexpected injuries occur and Hayward returns for Game 5.

I feel that with everything that’s gone wrong for the Jazz – the injuries to Gobert and Hayward, the suspect officiating and how well the Clippers have shot the ball – it is incredible to have a remote chance of winning the series, let alone being tied two a piece.