Los Angeles Clippers v Utah Jazz - Game One
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 08: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers at the buzzer in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 8, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Despite a slow start behind the arc, the Utah Jazz hit the notes in the second half and orchestrated a comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-109, in front of the home crowd in Vivint Arena.

Getting the Right Tempo

The home team, Utah Jazz, started the series opener shooting 7-for-27 from deep in the first half. But the top-seeded team started to get hot in the rainbow territory after halftime.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder shared that when teams are missing, they usually stop shooting and get it to the rim. He stated that there is a need to find options, but for the Jazz squad, as long as they were getting good looks, it is reasonable.

But the key sequence of the game naturally came in the final moments. It was when Rudy Gobert rotated to a wide-open Morris, extended his long arms to reject Morris' game-tying 3-point attempt in the corner.

Gobert stated that the Clippers were down three, which means they needed a three to tie the game. That is why when Kawhi Leonard had the ball and Joe Ingles switched on Kawhi, Gobert said that fake help so that Kawhi will pass the ball to Morris for a 3. The worked as Gobert managed to reject the attempt of Morris Sr.

Moreover, Utah winded up 34% from the 3-point range in Game 1, a lower percentage compared to their average in the regular season of 38.9%, but they still managed to get the W at home. The Jazz kept shooting despite missing from downtown early in the ball game, but it paid off for them.

In addition, the Jazz also emphasized that they were getting quality shots and clean looks, but they were not just falling in.

Furthermore, Donovan Mitchell started the scoring barrage for Utah, as he dropped the first 10 points after halftime. The Jazz star drained two long treys to cut the 13-point deficit. Jazz started to put the game in their tempo, with Jordan Clarkson hitting six threes downtown to make it an even ball game.

The dagger from Bojan Bogdanovic beyond the arc at the 10:23 mark of the fourth quarter gave the Jazz an 85-84 lead and never trailed again. Mitchell hit some of his 45-point performance at the fourth. Alongside 'Spida' was the reigning 'Sixth Man of the Year' Jordan Clarkson, who also knocked down his shots to keep them ahead.

The Croatian sniper Bogdanovic also hit his shots beyond the arc to put his team in a good position. He drained his third shot in the three-point area to put the Jazz to a double-digit advantage.

Snyder also added that if they look at how they play, if they passed on their usual shots, they will end up losing better shots. And their chances will also go down. The Jazz coach also mentioned that they were just doing what they think is best for them. Synder emphasized that they have to believe in their identity, in who they really are.

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