When the season began on October 19, few people around the league had pegged the Jazz as one of the best teams. In fact, most people assumed Utah — given all of their offseason trades and change — was more likely to be closer to the worst record in the league than the best.
On the other end of the spectrum, many believed the Clippers were ready to take over the LA Market. They were tabbed as a potential title contender due to their depth, buoyed by the healthy return of Kawhi Leonard and free agent signing of John Wall.
But two weeks into the season and there’s proof that preseason predictions don’t mean a thing — all that matters is who’s playing and what happens on the court.
Utah returns to action on Sunday night when they face the LA Clippers under the bright lights of Hollywood. Tipoff is set for 8 pm MST
For the Jazz, they’ve assembled a team quickly becoming one of the deepest in the league.
Without an All-NBA player on the roster, Utah has 11 players averaging at least 12 minutes per game and nobody averaging more than 34. Due to that depth, it means there isn’t much of a drop-off when head coach Will Hardy goes to his bench, giving him many options to work with and the ability to close games with a well-rested unit.
“I think the spacing is the biggest difference for us. … We’re so unselfish that the ball’s just moving around and pinging, and every one of the five guys can beat you off the dribble and make plays,” Mike Conley said.
It wasn’t the greatest of starts for the Clippers early in the season, going 2-4 as Leonard struggled to find a rhythm before re-aggravating his knee injury, and Wall wasn’t entirely comfortable in a new system.
But LA seems to have settled in, winning three straight as Paul George has taken over. He’s averaged 32 points, six assists, and five rebounds during that time, including a game-winner on Friday night over San Antonio.
STATS
Utah (7-3, 3-3 away / No. 2 Western Conference)
Offense
*117.0 Points Per Game (No. 5 in NBA)
*114.4 Offensive Rating (No. 8 in NBA)
Defense
*112.8 Points Per Game (No. 12 in NBA)
*109.6 Defensive Rating (No. 12 in NBA)
*Lauri Markkanen: 22.2 points | 9.4 rebounds | 2.7 assists
*Jordan Clarkson: 17.4 points | 5.3 assists | 4.8 rebounds | 36.3% 3P-shooting
*Colin Sexton: 13.6 points | 2.9 rebounds | 39.4% 3P-shooting
*Kelly Olynyk: 12.7 points | 4.1 rebounds | 3.4 assists | 59.4% 3P-shooting
LA Clippers (5-4, 1-2 home / No. 8 Western Conference)
Offense
*102.3 Points Per Game (No. 30 in NBA)
*103.0 Offensive Rating (No. 30 in NBA)
Defense
*106.2 Points Per Game (No. 4 in NBA)
*106.2 Defensive Rating (No. 4 in NBA)
*Paul George: 23.8 points | 6.0 rebounds | 4.9 assists | 1.9 steals
*Marcus Morris: 14.3 points | 6.1 rebounds | 40% 3P-shooting
*John Wall: 12.9 points | 4.7 assists | 2.1 rebounds
*Ivica Zubac: 10.0 points | 11.6 rebounds | 2.8 blocks
KEY MATCHUP
*Lauri Markkanen vs. Lauri Markkanen Paul George
— After getting the better of LeBron James — one of the best small forwards in the NBA — on Friday night, Lauri Markkanen gets a crack at another elite opponent in LA’s Paul George. Markkanen shined offensively against James, but it was his defense that stood out most. George has been on a tear of late, resulting in three straight wins. Does George keep the Clippers afloat or does Markkanen strengthen his All-Star candidacy?
INJURY REPORT
Utah
OUT | Johnny Juzang (G League – Two-Way)
OUT | Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
OUT | Leandro Bolmaro (return to competition reconditioning)
LA Clippers
QUESTIONABLE | Robert Covington (return to competition reconditioning)
OUT | Moussa Diabate (G League Two-Way)
OUT | Luke Kennard (chest discomfort)
OUT | Kawhi Leonard (right knee injury management)
OUT | Jason Preston (G League – on assignment)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Time: 8:00 pm MST
Location Crypto.com Arena/ Los Angeles, CA
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 1280 The Zone