Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen (23) dunks throughout the second half in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers at Delta Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Photos After a formidable home victory in opposition to a Los Angeles staff on Wednesday, the Utah Jazz are hoping to beat one other L.A. squad on Thursday to cap a back-to-back set in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Two nights after getting blown out by 19 factors in opposition to the Lakers, the Jazz responded with their very own one-sided victory, 131-119 versus LeBron James, Luka Doncic & Co on Wednesday.
Utah will host the Clippers on Thursday within the teams’ remaining recreation earlier than the All-Star break.
The Thursday contest is the rematch of a Saturday recreation in Los Angeles. Ivica Zubac made 13 of 16 photographs for 26 factors and grabbed 15 rebounds whereas Norman Powell additionally scored 26 within the Clippers’ 130-110 win over the Jazz.
“I will do no matter it takes. I take my time and see how the protection performs me,” Zubac mentioned after the win over Utah. “I have never been seeing rather a lot of double-teams these days, so it is about slicing to the basket and making the appropriate reads.”
Just like the Jazz, the Clippers are coming into the Thursday recreation with no relaxation. On Wednesday, L.A. defeated the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies 128-114 earlier than flying from Los Angeles to Salt Lake Metropolis.
Bogdan Bogdanovic made his debut with the Clippers after being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks final week. He completed with seven factors on 3-of-4 taking pictures and added two rebounds, one help and a steal in 18 minutes.
“He’ll be a shooter and offers me a runner coming off screens,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned about Bogdanovic after the commerce. “He has nice taking pictures and passing capacity.”
Bogdanovic mentioned, “Followers possibly see me as only a shooter, however I can create rather a lot and use my IQ. That is one of the very best organizations within the league and I am solely trying ahead. It is a new staff and a brand new alternative.”
Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, after lacking the Saturday matchup in opposition to the Clippers, is coming off of a terrific efficiency in opposition to the Lakers. He scored 32 factors, outshining James, Doncic and the remainder of the Lakers, within the stunning blowout victory. The consequence snapped a three-game dropping streak for Utah, which has solely gained 13 video games this season.
Jordan Clarkson, who netted 24 factors vs. the Clippers final weekend, had 21 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in opposition to the Lakers. Walker Kessler, absent from the Saturday recreation, went 8-for-8 from the sphere for 16 factors on Wednesday. He added eight rebounds, six blocked photographs and two steals.
Utah shot 52.3 p.c and dished out 30 assists whereas downing the Lakers.
“It is a actually good bounce-back win,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “I believed our general effort, tenacity, competitiveness and simply the fly-around issue was totally different tonight than it was within the final recreation. …
“The gamers deserve all of the credit score. They’re all robust. They’re all good. They’re all actually good human beings. They’re good teammates. They’re respectful people who have humility and so they take teaching. They take possession of the issues that they should do higher.”
The Jazz will want one other robust effort to register a second win in a row, which they’ve managed to do solely twice all season. They’ve but to provide a three-game profitable streak.
The Clippers have gained two in a row following a three-game skid.
–Subject Stage Media
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