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Important game for both teams

The Clippers are currently fifth with a win and a half behind the Jazz, whom they have defeated in two out of three head-to-heads this season

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Los Angeles Clippers had a lot of problems with injuries of their top players, which is one of the reasons why they are nowhere near a position to jeopardize the top 3 teams, and they would probably be very happy if they could reach the 4th position which guarantees them the home court advantage in the play-off. A three game winning run, during which they defeated opponents by 21 points on average, ended on Thursday when they lost 97-95 at Dallas. 

That was an even and interesting clash which is proved by 11 changes of leads, and after Wesley Matthews brought a two point lead for the Mavs 0.9 seconds before the end, coach Doc Rivers drew up a great play for J.J. Redick who got a solid chance to shoot, but he failed to score.

- We had a good shot in that last play. Execution was great, it was a three point shot, it would have been the winning basket. Scored or missed, we can live with that - said coach Rivers. 

Even though he led the Clippers with 21 point (9/23), Blake Griffin cannot be pleased with his performance, especially since he lost the ball in the final seconds of the game. DeAndre Jordan recorded 14 points (6/6) and 18 rebounds, while Chris Paul recorded 15 points (6/13), 6 rebounds and assists. 

The Clippers will play 7 of the remaining 9 games at home, where their record is 23-11, and today's is probably the most important game, they will welcome the Jazz, who are currently 4th with a win and a half ahead. Unlike the team from Los Angeles, who will be playing their 4th game this week, and they will face the Kings tomorrow, Quin Snyder's team have been resting since Wednesday when they defeated the Knicks 108-101. Rudy Gobert was the star of the night with 35 points (13/14), 13 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive, and 4 blocks. 

- His height and size were a huge factor. If he is not playing this way, we don't win. When you are attacking the hoop and playing with force in the offense, even when we miss the shots, we have Rudy who can jump and score. He is very long and it is hard to guard him well. He causes a chain reaction - Snyder praised his center. 

It is unlikely the Frenchman will repeat the similar performance like the one against the Knicks, since he will face DeAndre Jordan in the paint, who limited him to 9.7 points in their three head-to-heads this season. The Jazz were limited to 73.5 point in the first two head-to-heads, but in the last one, played in March in Salt Lake City, they won 114-108.