Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz Game Thread

In the first game after Christmas Day the Utah Jazz will host the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams will be missing some important players; however, the Jazz will be missing four starters -- while the Clippers will just be given an excuse to try out different line-ups. I'm not a Clippers fan. They used to be a joke. Now we make jokes about their success on the court just because they embellish contact (real or imagined) at times. Well, I think everyone makes fun of them for that. Though, do their credit the Jazz have lost 13 straight games to them. THIRTEEN. STRAIGHT. GAMES. That would make US the joke, right? Well, the silver lining is that even after 13 straight losses the Jazz are still 99-72 overall against them in the regular season and a dominant 61-23 at home.

Maybe the Jazz will give the home fans a late Christmas present tonight with a win? I hope so!

Starters:

• PG: Chris Paul vs. Raul Neto
• SG: J.J. Redick vs. Rodney Hood (Duke Fight!)
• SF: Luc Mbah a Moute vs. Gordon Hayward
• PF: Josh Smith vs. Trey Lyles
• C: DeAndre Jordan vs. Jeff Withey

Key Bench:

• Austin Rivers vs. Trey Burke
• Jamal Crawford vs. Alec Burks
• Lance Stephenson vs. Joe Ingles
• Paul Pierce vs. Father time
• Man, I am certain that Quin Snyder and Doc Rivers are not going to use any of the line-ups I think they will in this game

Injuries / Absences:

• Blake Griffin (LAC starting PF) -- OUT, left knee
• Derrick Favors (UTA starting PF) -- OUT, back spasms
  
• Rudy Gobert (UTA starting C) -- OUT, Grade II MCL sprain in left knee
  
• Dante Exum (UTA starting PG) -- OUT, ACL rehabilitation in left knee
  
• Austin Rivers (LAC bench PG) -- DOUBTFUL, Sprained right ankle

GO JAZZ GO!