The Utah Jazz defeated the Clippers 110-109 on Friday night, thanks in large part to a season-high 27 points from reserve Kenneth Lofton Jr. Los Angeles, who is headed to the playoffs, had secured the fourth spot in the West.
With 20 points off the bench, Bones Hyland led the Clippers, and Amir Coffey chipped in with 16. Before the Clippers started play, Dallas’ defeat to Detroit guaranteed the Clippers a spot and moved the Mavericks up to fifth place. For the third time in five years, the Mavs and Clippers will square off in the opening round.
“Getting the fourth seed in a tough conference — you got four teams that won 50 games — it means a lot to have the homecourt advantage in the first round,” Tyronn Lue, the Clippers coach, said. “Cracking our division (Pacific) for the first time
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed his seventh straight game with right knee inflammation and is not expected back until the playoffs start next weekend.
“Hopefully, he will be playing,” Lue said. “That is what we want to see.”
