Nba playoff, preview: everything you need to know about Utah-Clippers

The Clippers, with the reverse inserted in the final of the regular season, have practically chosen their path in the playoffs, with the aim of avoiding the derby with the Lakers in the second round. In hindsight things did not go as expected with the team of coach Lue who struggled a lot to be right of the brave Mavs and with the Lakers who stopped in front of the Suns.

Now for Leonard and his companions comes the complicated challenge with Utah, the team that practically throughout the season has looked at everyone (despite the doubts of many critics) from top to bottom in the Western Conference. A series in which the long-distance percentages will make the difference for two teams who shoot often, and very well (41.1% for the Clippers and 39% for the Jazz in the regular season), from three.

UTAH: Conley, Mitchell, Bogdanovic, O’Neale, Gobert.
Main reserves: Clarkson, Ingles, Favors, Niang.
Coach: Quin Snyder.

L.A. CLIPPERS: Beverley, George, Leonard, Morris Sr., Zuca.
Main reserves: Batum, Jackson, Rondo, Ibaka, Mann.
Coach: Tyronn Read.

UTAH – The Jazz did their homework against a cinematic Morant and after stumbling in Game-1 they took control of operations in the series. With Mitchell’s return, they were able to produce their own basketball. Apprehension about Mike Conley’s muscle problem that he could also be forced to miss race-1.

LA CLIPPERS – The crazy series with the Mavs finally rewarded Lue’s team. But how afraid. Too many ups and downs on a defensive level and a fluctuating Paul George, a mix that cannot make Coach Lue sleep peacefully in view of the complicated challenge with Jazz. Ibaka, forced to miss the last five races due to a back problem, will hardly recover for race-1.

UTAH – With Donovan Mitchell on the court Utah is unbeaten in the postseason. It doesn’t mean much statistically (only three games) but undoubtedly the impact of the Jazz leader is fundamental on the ambitions of the Salt Lake City team. In a series that will be decided on the perimeter, Utah can count on the centimeters and the physicality of Rudy Gobert under the basket which could be decisive in limiting the penetrations of Leonard and PG13. Also important will be the production of the two luxury bench seats from Utah, Clarkson and Ingles, fluctuating in the series against Memphis.

LA CLIPPERS – Being able to count on an absolutely spatial player on both sides of the field like Kawhi Leonard is a real luxury for coach Lue. The former Finals mvp made the difference, especially when he counted more, in the very difficult series against the Mavericks, now he will have to leave his mark also in the challenge against Utah. George if he really wants to continue to be called “Playoff P.” must begin to dominate even in the playoffs, without the dangerous misses of recent seasons, the Salt Lake City team in this sense represents a fascinating test bed for PG13.

The ups and downs against Dallas of course have not dispelled the doubts of the many critics on the true solidity of a team that has not yet managed to continuously express its full potential. Utah is a tough opponent, very well trained and with disciplined players. It will most likely be a long streak, with the Jazz slightly favorites: Utah 4-3.

Race-1 will be staged at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City in front of 18,300 spectators at 4am on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.