NBA Preseason: Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz -- Game Preview

NBA Preseason 2012-2013, Game 6:

Los Angeles Clippers (2-2) @ Utah Jazz (3-2)

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The Basics:

Game 6 of the preseason for the Jazz, and our second home game all preseason. This game is on NBA TV, and on the local radio. Game starts at 7:00 pm Utah time!

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History:

The Jazz and Clippers played in LA three days ago. Or nights ago. Whatever. Is was the Jazz' second back to back game of the preseason, and the Clipper's first game after 3 nights off. The Jazz led after one 23-21, and our bench guys mopped the floor with them by causing deflections, going into transition, and basically dominating them with Enes Kanter. I can't believe I said dominating with Enes Kanter. (Dude has a good shot of eating up a lot of back up bigs this year) A 25-13 second quarter put the Jazz up 48 to 34 at the half. Well, the starters for both teams back out and set balance to the universe in the third, as the Jazz managed only 16 points, while the Clippers had 34. Yes, the Clippers scored only 34 points in the first and second quarters combined, and then scored 34 again in the 3rd quarter.

The game went back and forth for a bit and the two teams finished the game with their reserves. Jamal Crawford took control in the fourth quarter and got to the free throw line 11 times. He would finish with 18 points.

I feel like the Jazz have some unfinished business after losing that game on the road 94 to 96. Particularly the Jazz had the last possession, last shot, and two chances to tie the game. And came up short. It was the Randy Foye revenge game, and while he did have his best game in a Jazz uniform it was ultimately decided by the things about him we don't like. He missed a layup (not so hot at scoring in the paint) because he went in soft, and his shot was swatted out of bounds. Then on the next attempt he jacked up a bad contested shot that also missed. More than Blake Griffin 's dunks, or Jeremy Evans ' highlights -- those last two plays were the plays that have resonated with me these past few days.

Oh, and DeAndre Jordan went 5-13 from the FT line in a game where his team won by 2 points. It could have been a larger margin if he could only have instead shot like Fesenko from the line. (Yeah, he shot worse than Fes did from the FT line)

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The Game:

This is the 6th game for the Jazz out of a total 8 preseason games. It's the 5th for the Clips. In both cases, training camp is over, and the pre-season is half over. The starters and rotation guys will see more playing time. We know that Griffin can shoot now. And he has dribble moves. He's dangerous. I'd love to see the Jazz hold him to under 50 fg%. Which probably means that Chris Paul goes nuts tonight. Or goes for the nuts. He's . . . different.

I don't know if Derrick Favors or Mo Williams will play in this game. Jamaal Tinsley was sent home after his wisdom teeth surgery, and he's a game time decision as far as I can tell. I also have no clue about Grant Hill and Lamar Odom -- but I will try to find out asap about that.

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Word from the Badguys:

I derped on this one. I answered Steve's questions, but I replied really late. I'll wait a bit before I fill out this section...

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X-Factors:

I want to see a strong game from Marvin Williams -- the Jazz need more punch in their starting lineup. This will be like the third season in a row where we expect to get back into games because of our bench play. I'd love to see more strong starts. This has to happen at the wing, and hopefully in transition. So if Marvin can play like he did in the first two games, and less like he did in the last two games, he could give the home crowd something to cheer for.

For the Clippers it's always going to be Jamal Crawford. Dude lives to punish us.

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As an aside:

I wonder if Rony Turiaf plays tonight . . . you know . . . PTSD is a real thing.

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Fearless Prediction:

Jazz win. Why? Because the Jazz have to defend their home court! Chris Paul is usually a little, frightened mouse in the ESA. So . . . yeah . . . he has no chance of handling Deron Williams . . . so maybe we can get Deron to suit up with us tonight?