Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Vs. Jazz

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts at the end of the Clippers 97-95 loss to the Utah Jazz in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Jazz won on a buzz-beater by Joe Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

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Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) drives to the basket past LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter in Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Clippers Must Play At Their Own Pace

The Los Angeles Clippers are nobody’s idea of a run-and-gun team. They play at basically a league-average pace — 16th in the league per Basketball-Reference, with an estimated 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes.

However, they are definitely a run-and-gun team compared to the Utah Jazz. Utah has the slowest offense in the league by far, with an estimated 91.6 possessions per 48 minutes.

Although home teams are usually supposed to dictate the tempo, this game’s pace was controlled by the Jazz. The game was played at a pace of 91.9 possessions per 48 minutes, according to Basketball-Reference.

Although the Clippers did win two slower games against the Jazz early this season, they can and should look to push the pace against Utah — especially after Rudy Gobert’s injury.

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