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Posted at 1:15 PM EST. 

L.A. CLIPPERS -5 over Utah

8:35 PM EST. Like the media has said, and players have said, and coaches have said, many, many, many times in the past, an NBA playoff series doesn’t begin until one team wins on the other's home floor. Of course, that meant that it was “Game on!” when the Clippers lost Game 1 at home vs. Dallas in the First Round, and seriously, game really on when they lost Game 2 at home. So, after three and six-point losses at Utah in Games 1 and 2 of this Western Conference Semifinal series, the Clippers are in the same 0-2 state as they were after two games against Dallas with the difference being the next two games are at home instead of being on the road. They won four of five, three on the road, to advance to this series. Therefore, they seem very capable of doing that again despite the slight rise in class of opponents from the Mavericks to the Jazz.

The frequent passage of ball through hoop by Utah in Game 2 (55.3% overall, 51.3% from three-point range) was a bit much, even for them, so Ol’ Man Regression figures to be the sixth man for the Clippers tonight, with the usual favorable refereeing for the 0-2 home team as a seventh man. If the Utah Jazz – who, all along, may have peaked too soon – can keep it going here and win a seventh straight postseason game, then more power to them but by now you guys know the drill. Utah’s stock is through the roof and the oddsmakers have hung up an enticing two possessions their way and we’re going to suggest that it’s fool’s gold. Therefore we’re not coming off our “sell high” mantra. That leaves the Clip Joint as the play.

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