Utah Jazz Struggle During Opening Half Of Game 4 Against L.A. Clippers
Jun 14, 2021, 9:27 PM | Updated: Dec 7, 2022, 3:58 pm
Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz scores a basket against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz struggled during the first two quarters of action to start Game 5 of their postseason series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers hosted the Jazz at Staples Center for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Monday, June 14.
After Bojan Bodanovic jammed a driving dunk 20 seconds into the contest, the Jazz struggled on offense and defense throughout the remainder of the first half.
🚨🚨🚨 Bogey dunk 🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/x3a6pMnpTg
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 15, 2021
During the first 12 minutes of game time, the Jazz struggled to find the bottom of the bucket. Utah finished the opening quarter shooting 28.6 percent overall and 1-7 for 14.3 percent from beyond the arc.
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The Jazz trailed 30-13 at the end of one.
Utah’s next 12 minutes on the court didn’t go much better.
During the second quarter, the Jazz shot better, but continued to struggle against the Clippers athleticism, length, and defense.
PG attacks, scores, plus the foul… the @LAClippers are rolling on TNT! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/13lAZs3mOX
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2021
If not for an impressive quarter by a less than 100 percent Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz would have found themselves in a deeper hole.
Don with 21 points & 4 threes at the half 🕸#MACU3 | @MountainAmerica pic.twitter.com/fJjsjMYWpK
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 15, 2021
During the final 7:49 minutes before the break, Mitchell caught fire and scored 17 of his team-high 21 points.
Somehow Donovan Mitchell has another 20 point half on 6-12 shooting.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 15, 2021
At halftime, Los Angeles led 68-44.
Utah went to the locker room after shooting 35.9 percent from the field, including 8-24 for 34.8 percent from three during the first half.
Utah allowed L.A. to shoot 50.0 percent overall and 11-22 for 50.0 percent on triples.
Marcus Morris led the Clippers with 22 points.
Kawhi Leonard poured in 19 points and Paul George added 15 points.
KAWHI. OH MY GOODNESS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PLmbCmtmaY
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 15, 2021
The Jazz entered the game with a 2-1 series lead.
Utah’s game against Los Angeles is broadcast on TNT and 97.5 FM.
