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Jazz Could Upset Undermanned Clippers

Game 5 of the most competitive first-round series of the 2017 NBA playoffs is set for Tuesday night. The Utah Jazz visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center, looking to steal home-court advantage against the undermanned No.4 seed.

Most of the top players in this series have dealt with some kind of ailment, but the most serious injury could ultimately decide which team moves on to the conference semifinals. Blake Griffin is done for the postseason with a toe injury, and his absence will make it difficult for the Clippers to win two more games against the Jazz.

After helping Los Angeles win two of the series’ first three contests, Griffin was forced to sit in Game 4. Despite 27 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds from Chris Paul, the Clippers lost 105-98 and the series was tied up at 2-2.

L.A. is one of the NBA’s best teams when Paul and Griffin are both in the lineup, but that simply isn’t the case when one of the stars is missing. The Clippers struggled at various points in the season when Paul was hurt, and the case has been the same with Griffin. Los Angeles is 42-21 when Griffin suits up, and they are just 11-11 when the forward is sidelined.

Utah has managed to weather the injuries suffered by their best players in the series. When Rudy Gobert went down in the opening seconds of Game 1, the Jazz managed to keep the contest close and win on a fourth-quarter buzzer-beater. Gordon Hayward played just nine minutes in Game 4 because of food poisoning, and the Jazz were still able to pull out a victory at home.

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz

Gordon Hayward is expected to play for the Utah Jazz in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Pictured: Hayward shoots the ball over Chris Paul during the first quarter in Game 4 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on April 23, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

With Gobert coming off a double-double and Hayward not listed on the Game 5 injury report, the Jazz might be primed to take the series lead. Utah has been respectable on the road this season, going 23-20, and their defense could have a big performance against the Griffin-less Clippers. Only the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are better at shutting down their opponents than Utah.

Luc Mbah a Moute barely contributed in Griffin’s absence, missing seven of his eight field goal attempts and grabbing five rebounds in 34 minutes. With a 10.25 PER in the regular season, it’s hard to believe he’ll be able to step up in the way that the Clippers need him to.

Utah, on the other hand, has gotten big time fill-in performances. When Gobert went down in Game 1, Derrick Favors finished the contest with 15 points and six rebounds on seven-of-10 shooting. Joe Johnson led all Game 4 scorers with 28 points, hitting 12 of 17 shots while adding five rebounds and five assists.

L.A. is a three-point betting favorite, via OddsShark, but Utah is the smart pick, now that they are healthier than the Clippers. The Game 5 over/under is 195.

Game 5 is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. EDT. TNT will have the TV coverage, and viewers can watch a free live stream online at tntdrama.com.

Prediction: Utah over Los Angeles, 95-91

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