Clippers Return to Earth, 103-89

With a two-game winning streak and confidence from defeating Utah by 26 points less than three weeks ago, the Clippers came ready to play Thursday night at the Sports Arena.

But having the right frame of mind does not always equal a victory. Especially when the opponent is experienced and good like the Utah Jazz.

The over-anxious Clippers played right into the crafty hands of Utah’s veteran ensemble of Karl Malone, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek, helping the Jazz break open a tight game in the second half for a 103-89 victory in front of 10,447.

“Their experience and reputation plays [a large role in playing the Jazz],” Clipper point guard Sherman Douglas said. “I think we spent too much time worrying about fouls and we forgot the game plan and what we were going to do. . . . But. it was good to see that we didn’t back down.”

The foul-prone Clippers gave the Jazz a tough battle in trailing only, 46-44 at halftime. But in the third quarter, Utah went into its bag of tricks and before the Clippers could work up a second-half sweat, Michael Olowokandi and Lorenzen Wright had already combined for nine fouls and found themselves on the bench.

With Greg Ostertag doing his best imitation of a dominant NBA center with a season-high 19 rebounds to go with 16 points and five blocked shots, Utah took advantage of the Clippers’ lack of size inside and spurted to a commanding lead.

The Jazz outscored the Clippers, 29-17, in the third quarter and then put on a fourth-quarter clinic on how to finish off a team with basic pick-and-roll and backdoor plays.

“You have to know how to use your head [playing Utah],” said Lorenzen Wright, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds off the Clipper bench. “Those guys know how to get open and get everybody [involved]. They came out like it was a playoff-type game. They played us like we were in the playoffs.”

The Clippers, who had won three of their last four games and had defeated the Jazz on March 27 at the Arrowhead Pond, took the floor looking like a team that was not intimidated.

At every opportunity, the Clippers were aggressive. Whether it was fighting through a perimeter pick by Malone or banging for a rebound with Ostertag, the Clippers played the Jazz rough--and in the end, it cost them.

Utah, which improved to 30-8 and will play the Lakers at Utah on Saturday, tried to deliver the knockout blow early with a strong first quarter. But after falling behind, 30-21, early in the second, the Clippers (6-32) rallied behind inspired play of Wright.

A starter in the first month of the season, Wright’s playing time has been inconsistent the last few weeks because of the emergence of Maurice Taylor and Olowokandi inside.

But against the Jazz, Wright made sure his minutes counted. He finished with his sixth double-double of the season.

But in the second half, Utah took control.

“There’s no embarrassment losing to the Utah Jazz,” said Clipper Coach Chris Ford, whose team will play at Golden State tonight.

“We played very physical, and gave a great effort. If you back down from [Utah] they’ll kill you, but our guys banged with them the whole game. There were some tough calls out there tonight.”

Every Utah starter finished with at least 15 points, with Malone leading the way with 25.