Clippers Look to Even Up Series with Jazz after Heart-Breaking Game One Loss

Joe Johnson’s buzzer-beater gave the Utah Jazz the 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 97-95 home defeat the Clippers were dealt now makes game two of the series a must-win. The second game of the series will take place on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 pm.

Game 1 of the Jazz-Clippers series was close throughout. The Jazz’s Rudy Gobert suffered a knee injury 17 seconds into the game and did not return. Despite losing of their best players, the gritty Jazz found a way to stay with the high-powered Clippers.

The veteran Johnson closed the game out by doing what he’s done multiple times: beat the buzzer for a game-winner. The shot shocked the Clippers as they had just tied the game up seconds before.

Now the entirety of the Clippers franchise may be in jeopardy if they drop game two on Wednesday. J.J. Redick, Blake Griffin, and Chris Paul can all become free agents this summer. They’ve been unsuccessful in the playoffs for three-plus years now, so the likelihood of all three of them coming back next season if they don’t go far this year would be unlikely.

Another home loss to the Jazz would put the Clippers in a two-game hole with the series shifting to Utah. Teams down 0-2 in a best-of-seven NBA series have roughly a 6% chance of moving on to the next round.

Staples Center will be filled with worry and excitement on Wednesday night. The Clippers will look to even up the series at one-a-piece before heading to Utah. Fans of the Los Angeles squad will definitely be roaring, knowing this can be one of the team’s last home games of the season. The fans will surely be ready, just as the Clippers will be. Coach Doc Rivers always makes sure his team is.