WCQF | (4) LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz (5) | UTA 3-2

[reborn123]

Utah Jazz in 4. Blake Griffin hits the game-tying dunk in Game 1, but injures his pinky finger severely on the way down after getting snagged by the net. Hayward misses on the next attempt and the ball finds its way to CP3, who shoots a jumper all the while flopping his way into a foul call. The ball clanks off the rim and the officials wave off his flop attempt. He then inadvertently slips on a hotdog laying on the ground while moving towards the official, and he lands on and injures his back. With CP3 and Griffin out, the Clippers, now led by Austin Rivers aka Doc's Chosen One, give out a herculean effort and keep the next 3 games close, but they weren't enough to stop Gobert who transformed into the next iteration of Hakeem Olajuwon.

[Tricky_Kid]

I think Clippers in 5, maybe 6.


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[oaktownwarriors87]

Clippers in 5. Jazz get to flustered.

[og15]

Utah Jazz in 4. Blake Griffin hits the game-tying dunk in Game 1, but injures his pinky finger severely on the way down after getting snagged by the net. Hayward misses on the next attempt and the ball finds its way to CP3, who shoots a jumper all the while flopping his way into a foul call. The ball clanks off the rim and the officials wave off his flop attempt. He then inadvertently slips on a hotdog laying on the ground while moving towards the official, and he lands on and injures his back. With CP3 and Griffin out, the Clippers, now led by Austin Rivers aka Doc's Chosen One, give out a herculean effort and keep the next 3 games close, but they weren't enough to stop Gobert who transformed into the next iteration of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Haha, jokes on you, the Clippers will tell Blake not to dunk and ban hot dogs being sold during the home games!

[oaktownwarriors87]

Clippers are going to show everyone that they're underrated

Right before they get swept by the warriors

[ChargerMan]

[quote="oaktownwarriors87"][quote="Bertrob"]Clippers are going to show everyone that they're underrated[/quote]

Right before they get swept by the warriors[/quote]

Undefeated v Warriors in the playoffs

[KqWIN]

Clippers are going to show everyone that they're underrated

I agree, the Clippers might be the second best team in the league. Both teams are much better than their record, which is not something you can often say about two 51 win teams. These are two of the most injured teams in the league this year. Both teams are now healthy for the most part. Each team also has their mental blocks to overcome. The Jazz have struggled with intensity and effort all season long, while the Clippers are obviously dealing with ghosts from years past.

[Daddy 801]

I'm a Jazz fan. If I had to bet money it would be on the Clips winning. But I wouldn't bet very much either.

[jjscap]

UTA's starters Hill, Hood and Favors had injury/sickness/fitness problems all year. I think Hill will do fine this series. Hood is a coin-flip. Favors is a key player for this match-up. Unfortunately so far this season he's looked like a shell of himself.

Right now on the poll the leading option is Jazz in 6. While that's entirely possible I hope it's not a result of despise towards LAC. I have no idea how the Jazz will do this series.. so many question marks. They're certainly capable of winning but LAC have more experience. Overall this should be a long and entertaining series with ups and downs.

[HMFFL]

I just glanced at every game Utah and LAC played this season. Utah had a lead high of 13 points in one of the four games, LAC had a high of 29 @ Utah, but also 22 in another game, and 20 in another.
The game in which Utah had a lead high of 13 points is the one they beat the LAC.

Another thing I noticed about the game Utah had a 13 point lead, is that they held the LAC to 28 rebounds, and Utah rebounded 42. This was the only time Utah had more rebounds and they tied once during the matchups. Utah won the points in the paint battle, 36-30 in the game they had the 13 point lead in.

In conclusion, I believe the LA Clippers are set to win the series handily, and it's not wise to bet on Utah as an underdog.

[SkyHook]

In four games vs. the Clips this year there were zero games in which the Jazz starting five of Hill, Hood, Hayward, Favors, and Gobert all played. In contrast, Chris Paul missed one game while the other four of their starters--Redick, Mbah a Moute, Griffin, and Jordan--played in all four games. Does that mean anything for this series? I have no idea. Will the absence of Austin Rivers have an impact? That is a question that I never thought that I would ask. I'm sticking with my pick of the Jazz in six, but it still wouldn't really surprise me if either team won in 5, 6, or 7. Tough series, likely the most competitive in the first round.

[dantheman74]

Hardest series to pick. Going with Jazz in 6.

[Qwigglez]

This will be a very intriguing series. I could see this going either way depending on which team is hot. I'm going to take the Jazz though and hope Hayward puts on an epic performance. Favors pretending to be fat and out of shape all season suddenly locks down Griffin and puts up double doubles every game.

[dr3am]

Clippers in 6.

[76ers]

Clippers in 7.

[mudsak]

Experience, Home Court, and regular season dominance in the series between these two teams... Logic tells me the Clips have to be favored to take this series. That being said... I have no idea who's going to win it. Either team is absolutely capable to take it. It's going to be a grudge match.

Clips basically dominated the Jazz in the regular season, BUT the Jazz weren't ever fully healthy in any of their matchups. The Jazz "appear" to be mostly healthy now and have played pretty decent over their last few games. On the other side of the coin the Clippers have been on a rampage...basically peaking at the right time.

Clips have a more potent offense, along with experience. The Jazz have a brutal defense, and (IF healthy) have a really deep bench. Flip a coin, this thing could go either way. Should be a phenomenal series to watch.

[mudsak]

This will be a very intriguing series. I could see this going either way depending on which team is hot. I'm going to take the Jazz though and hope Hayward puts on an epic performance. Favors pretending to be fat and out of shape all season suddenly locks down Griffin and puts up double doubles every game.

If the REAL Favors actually showed up for this series it would change everything.

[Pan Jia Yuan]

Easily the most interesting 1st round matchup in my eyes. Got Utah in 7 though it basically all comes down to one question imo: what will have a bigger impact, Utah's defense or their inexperience?

[Asif16]

Most evenly matched series in the 1st round. Can go either way, but ill say Clippers in 7 due to their experience

[Catchall]

George Hill and Chris Paul both averaged 31.5 MPG. Chris Paul averaged 18 PPG and Hill 17 PPG, both shooting virtually identical percentages. Hill is also a very good defensive player when he's motivated and he's got a bit of size on CP. I think this matchup is going to be very close, and will go Hill's way some nights.

As a Jazz fan, I'd also like to see Exum hone in and defend JJ Redick for a few stints and see if he can make a dent in JJ's production. He's got the speed and the length on the perimeter to make a difference for a few stretches.