Jazz Fall To Clippers Despite Late Surge, Series Tied 2-2

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz couldn’t overcome a poor first quarter as they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 118-104 in Game 4 and the series is now tied at 2-2.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 37 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Game 4 loss to the Clippers. Joe Ingles chipped in 19 points, while Bojan Bogdanovic poured in 18 points.

Mitchell became the first player in NBA history to score at least 30 points and at least five three-pointers in five straight playoff games. He has also joined some great company for most consecutive 30-point playoff games. Mitchell has six straight games now and only trails Lew Alcindor (9), Rick Barry (7) and Bob McAdoo (7).

Not a good night for the Jazz, but Donovan Mitchell joined some decent company (via @ESPNStatsInfo). pic.twitter.com/A96ZcoMW8n

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 15, 2021

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each scored 31 points to lead the Clippers. Marcus Morris dropped 24 points.

The @utahjazz and the @LAClippers are tied 2-2 in their best of seven series after the Clippers beat the Jazz 118-104 in game four.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 37, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had 31 each for the Clippers. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/Tlb5irUAoY

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 15, 2021

Donovan Mitchell Keeps Jazz From Getting Blown Out In First Half

The Jazz couldn’t have asked for a worst start to the game as they couldn’t hit much of anything. They shot 28 percent (6-21) from the field and just 1-of-7 from the three-point line. Donovan Mitchell had four points, Jordan Clarkson added three points, while Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale and Derrick Favors each scored a bucket. Utah trailed the Clippers 30-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Second quarter was much better but the Clippers still outscored the Jazz 38-31. That was mainly due to Mitchell scoring 17 points in the quarter. The rest of the Jazz scored 14 points. Marcus Morris dropped 11 points in the second.

Through the first half, Mitchell led the way with 21 points. Joe Ingles chipped in nine points. LA had three players in double figures, led by Morris with 22 points, Kawhi Leonard poured in 19 and Paul George finished with 15 points as the Clippers were up 68-44 at the break.

At the half, the @utahjazz trail the @LAClippers 68-44.

Kawhi Leonard's ferocious dunk on Derrick Favors got the Clippers fans into the game right before halftime.

Donovan Mitchell has 21, Marcus Morris has 22 to lead all scorers. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/1cZMkcHVVX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 15, 2021

Jazz Late Surge Comes Up Short In Second Half

The Jazz came out of the locker room in the second half firing and playing their brand of basketball. They got the deficit down to 14 but a couple of mistakes on both ends of the floor brought the Clippers back up to a 20-point lead.

Although the Jazz outscored the Clippers 29-26 in the third quarter, they still trailed 94-73 heading into the fourth quarter. Mitchell finished with nine points in the quarter but the entire starting lineup except for Joe Ingles scored five points or more. Ingles had a three-pointer in the third. Utah shot 56 percent from the field and 5-of-9 from the three-point line. LA hit just 43 percent of their field goals and 2-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Utah once again made another run at potentially stealing a game at Staples Center early in the fourth quarter when they went on a 7-0 run. LA’s lead was 103-85 with just over eight minutes remaining.

At the midway point of the fourth quarter, Utah kept chipping away at the lead. The Clippers were missing shots but the Jazz didn’t make much more in a prime opportunity to get back to within single digits.

Unfortunately for the Jazz, they couldn’t get to within single digits as the Clippers stretched the lead back to 15 with 4:18 left. Quin Snyder’s team made one last effort as they trailed by 13 points with 3:11 remaining in the game on a 24-9 run.

Joe Ingles knocked down another three-pointer to bring the Jazz within 10 points at the two-minute mark of the game. LA made their free throws and closed out the Jazz.

The all-important Game 5 will be on Wednesday, June 16 at 8 p.m. MDT on TNT.