Kenneth Lofton Jr., coming off the bench, scored his highest points this season, totaling 27, as the Utah Jazz narrowly defeated the Clippers 110-109 on Friday night.
The Clippers, already secured as the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, relied on Bones Hyland’s 20 points off the bench and Amir Coffey’s 16. With Dallas losing to Detroit earlier, the Clippers’ seeding was confirmed before their game.
Coach Tyronn Lue highlighted the significance of earning home-court advantage in the first round and winning the Pacific division after a decade. Kawhi Leonard, still out due to knee inflammation, is anticipated to return for the playoffs.
The Clippers have managed to secure victories against tough opponents like Denver, Utah, Cleveland, and Phoenix even in Leonard’s absence, showcasing their improvement.
Despite already being eliminated, the Jazz ended their two-game losing streak with consecutive wins for the first time since early February.
Coach Will Hardy commended the team’s effort, especially considering their struggles on the road this season. The game saw fluctuations, with the Clippers leading by 13 in the first half and the Jazz staging a comeback in the third quarter to take the lead.
The Jazz managed to secure the win in a close finish, with the Clippers falling short in the final moments.
