Clippers fall to the Utah Jazz, 102-91

A six-game homestand was supposed to be the time for the Clippers to pad their record after a mediocre start to the season. The first game of that stretch didn’t go as planned, with the Clippers losing to the Utah Jazz, 102-91, on Wednesday night.

After opening the season 4-0, the Clippers haven’t won consecutive games since.

The score was tied at halftime, then the Jazz pulled ahead by nine points in the third quarter and went on to push that advantage to as many as 17 points in the fourth.

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul were the only Clippers who scored in double figures, after a night when each of the starters scored at least 10 points in the team’s 111-94 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Griffin had 40 points on 18-for-23 shooting (78%) from the field. He also had 12 rebounds. His performance included a highlight play, in which he wrapped the ball through his legs, from behind, then drove to the basket and made a jam.

Paul had 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting (66.6%) and eight assists.

After that, there was a very steep drop-off, with the rest of the team combining to shoot only 27% (10 of 37) from the field.

The Clippers, who have lost four of their last five games, once again dipped to under .500 with a record of 7-8.

Gordon Hayward led the Jazz (7-7) with 33 points and seven rebounds. Derrick Favors had 22 points. Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers play next on Friday, when they host New Orleans.