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The Utah Jazz season is over.
The Jazz squandered a 22-point first-half lead in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, losing 131-119.
The Clippers won the set 4-2 and are heading to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they will face the Phoenix Suns.
For the Jazz, it’s a disappointing ending after they had the best record in the NBA in the regular season.
Here are three keys from the game.
Jazz was blown defensive in the second half
Dominating the first half, the Jazz completely collapsed in the second, especially at the end of the defensive floor. In particular, they let Clippers open 3 pointers after opening 3 pointers, especially from corners, and Clippers with capital letters.
According to Cleaning The Glass, Los Angeles had 22 3-point corner attempts in the night and made 13 of them (the jazz went 3 from 6 from corners, according to CTG). In all, the Clippers scored 81 points in the second half. Terence Man scored 39 points on 15 of 21 shots, including 7 of 10 from behind the 3-point streak to lead Los Angeles.
Jazz calmed down in the second half
After the first and second periods in which the Jazz scored 72 points, they calmed down in the second two frames. Jordan Clarkson scored 21 points in the first half and zero in the second. Mike Conley only had five points that night when he came back from injury, and Joe England had just five.
Jazz beat in a bunch of stats
During the night, the Clippers had 27 assists for 19 jazz, made 13 steals for jazz four and only committed eight turnovers on 17 jazz. Never matched her again.
8:39, fourth quarter: Clippers 107, Jazz 100
The Clippers came out in great shape in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points in just over three minutes. Los Angeles made four three-pointers as Utah had major problems on the courses and also had basket bullying.
End of the third quarter: Jazz 94, Clippers 91
The third quarter was an absolute disaster for the Jazz, as they edged out 41-22 when the Clippers returned to the game. The biggest problem was defense, especially since the Jazz kept leaving Terance Mann open for three throws, making them push and now owning 34 points that night. At one point in the quarter, Los Angeles saw 17-0. Offensively, Utah went cold, losing a set of wide-open triple pointers.
First Half: Jazz 72, Clippers 50
The Jazz dominated both ends of the floor in the second quarter to open the big lead at the break. On the offensive, it was Jordan Clarkson’s show, scoring 21 points in the second quarter, beating the Clippers by two points himself. Not only was he making shots, he was making good decisions as well, and he was also immune to defense.
The jazz as a whole was excellent defensively as well, making life difficult at attack time and closing in well on good LA shooters.
End of first quarter: Jazz 33, Clippers 31
The Jazz team led 33-31 at the end of the first quarter. Donovan Mitchell was outstanding early on, scoring 16 points in the opening period. Mike Conley made a pair of free throws from his first points in the series and played nearly seven minutes.
Terrence Man scored 12 to lead the Clippers.
before the match
The Utah Jazz face the Elimination Friday night as they face the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of their second-round tag team series at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Jazz won the first two games of the series, but lost the last three, and will now fight to force the crucial seventh game on Sunday at home in Salt Lake City.
Utah has not lost four consecutive games at any time this season.
Both members of the regular jazz backcourt, Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell, have injuries but will play.
If the Clippers win, they will advance to play the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals.
Game 6 is set to kick off at 8 p.m. MT and air on ESPN. Follow here for in-game updates and feedback.
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