Mitchell, Clarkson push Jazz past Clippers 120-107

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points and Jordan Clarkson added 19 in his second game with his new team as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-107

LOS ANGELES —
Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, Jordan Clarkson added 19 points in his second game with his new team, and the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-107 on Saturday night.

Clarkson, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, came off the bench to shoot 7 of 13 from the field. The Jazz shot 48.6% from 3-point range to win for the seventh time in eight games.

Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points and Paul George added 19 for the Clippers, who have traded victories and defeats over the past eight games. They were coming off an impressive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a Christmas day showdown.

The Jazz scored the last 11 points of the game to seal the victory, holding the Clippers scoreless over the final 3:35. The Clippers made just four field goals in the fourth quarter.

Utah won despite just 12 points and eight rebounds from Rudy Gobert. The Clippers won the battle inside as Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 12 rebounds, but little else went right for Los Angeles.

Bojan Bogdanovic had 17 points for the Jazz, while Joe Ingles added 15. Royce O’Neal had 11 points and all five Utah starters scored in double figures.

Lou Williams had 16 points off the bench for the Clippers, while Patrick Beverley added 12. The last time the Clippers won consecutive games was during a four-game winning streak that ended Dec. 13.

The Clippers started fast, taking a 32-22 lead after one quarter. The Jazz rallied behind 62.5% shooting from the field in the second quarter and 68.4% in the third. Utah took a 93-92 advantage into the fourth quarter.

After missing their first four shots in the fourth quarter, the Jazz trailed 96-93. But, Utah pushed back in front on a dunk by Mitchell that made it 98-97 with 9:18 remaining. The Jazz increased their lead to 109-102 on a layup by Clarkson with 4:55 remaining and held off the Clippers from there.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Bogdanovic was given a technical foul while on the bench as the third quarter was coming to a close. … The Jazz will look to take advantage of an upcoming schedule that has them playing seven consecutive games against teams that are under .500 in a run that goes through Jan. 12.

Clippers: Forward Montrezl Harrell was out because of an illness, missing his first game since Nov. 2017. Last season, Harrell was one of 21 players in the NBA to play in all 82 games. … Clippers guard Patrick Beverley went to the locker room with a right wrist injury early in the third quarter but returned to the game.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Clippers: At Sacramento Kings on Tuesday afternoon.

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