The Los Angeles Clippers needed a win in Game 5 to regain control of the series. Instead, Joe Johnson hit another dagger for the Utah Jazz in a 96-92 win. The Clippers are in dire straits, as they need to win both of the next two games to advance to the second round.
The Los Angeles Clippers returned to Los Angeles with the series tied 2-2 against the Utah Jazz. After losing both Blake Griffin and Game 4, they desperately needed a win to regain control of this series. They might not have gotten a better opportunity than in this Game 5 on their home floor.
Unfortunately, the Clippers lost yet another heartbreaker on a clutch shot from Joe Johnson. Although the return of Austin Rivers was expected to help the Clippers on defense, they still had no answer for Iso Joe late in the game.
They will have to win Game 6 in Utah to get another chance to play on their home floor.
With their playoff lives in the balance, the Clippers have a lot of questions that need to be answered. Los Angeles managed to keep Utah in check on the defensive end for most of the night. However, their offense struggled mightily without Blake Griffin on the floor.
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The Clippers will need to look to some of the key factors from this game as areas for improvement. If they cannot manage to swing the balance of some of these factors their way, they will leave Utah with disappointment and a long summer ahead of them.