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The Clippers have a chance tonight to do something they’ve never done before....
Advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Game Information
When: Friday, June 18, 7 p.m. PT
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
How to watch/listen: ESPN
Opposing perspective: SLC Dunk
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac
Jazz: Royce O’Neale, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles
Injuries/Absences
Clippers: Serge Ibaka (lower back), Kawhi Leonard (right knee) — OUT
Jazz: Mike Conley Jr. (right hamstring strain), Donovan Mitchell (ankle) — QUESTIONABLE
Well, just like that the Clippers have a 3-2 series lead over the Utah Jazz. After trailing the series 0-2, they’ve won three straight games to put themselves one game away from reaching the Western Conference Finals. In case you’re new here or are unaware — or maybe have heard this mentioned in every Clippers playoff broadcast — the Clippers have NEVER reached the Conference Finals in their 50 years as an organization.
That can all change tonight.
After tying the series at two games a piece, the Clippers went back to Utah without Kawhi Leonard, their start player. They were eight-point underdogs, but managed to pull off one of the greatest wins in franchise history. If the Clippers are able to win tonight, this will go down as the biggest win in the 50-year history of the team.
Now, it won’t be easy. The Jazz were the best team in the NBA for a reason, which will make this a tough matchup for LA. The Clips were able to beat the Jazz with ease in the last two matchups in Los Angeles, but now they’ll be without Leonard.
As of right now, both Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley are listed as questionable for tonight. If I were to guess, I think both players will play. It’s tough to see those guys sitting out in a potential elimination game unless the pain is too severe. Still, their status is something to monitor. Even if they both play, they likely won’t be at 100 percent which could greatly benefit the Clippers.
If the Clippers advance, I likely will have a post talking about the significance of their series victory, so I’m not going to get to that now. All I have to say is, enjoy the game. Tonight can be a historic one for the Clippers. Staples Center is going to be at full capacity again for the first time in over a year. I don’t know about you, but I feel as if something truly special is going to take place tonight.