Clippers keep alive Jazz’s hopes

Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Clippers, 106-85, on Monday night to keep alive its slim hopes of climbing out of the No. 8 seeding in the Western Conference.

Utah closes the regular season tonight on the road against the top-seeded Lakers, the team the Jazz will face in the first round of the playoffs if it can’t catch Dallas or New Orleans.

Deron Williams had 17 points and nine assists, and Paul Millsap finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz.

Marcus Camby had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost eight of nine. Eric Gordon scored 16 points and Chris Kaman had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who made a fleeting run early in the fourth quarter before getting put away.

The Jazz led by 13 points at halftime and slowly pulled away in a sloppy and physical third quarter.

The Clippers’ Baron Davis knocked Matt Harpring to the court after the two had been bumping under the basket. Both players were called for fouls and Davis received a technical as well.

Davis had some words for Harpring before he could get on his feet but was quickly pulled away from the crowd of players who gathered after the commotion.

Later in the quarter, Camby’s drive through the lane was abruptly halted in a collision with Jarron Collins.

Collins was called for the foul and Camby needed a few moments to get up after the whistle.

Each team had eight fouls in the quarter, which featured 20 free throws.