Clippers at Jazz
The Utah Jazz have two opportunities over the next three days to put an end to the Los Angeles Clippers' franchise-record winning streak. They take their first shot Friday, when the clubs meet at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah has lost three of its last four games overall and two straight at home after beginning the season with a 9-1 mark in its own building.
Los Angeles has little time to prepare for Utah as it trounced Boston at home 106-77 on Thursday for its 15th consecutive victory. The Clippers' winning streak is the longest in the NBA since the Celtics captured 19 in a row during the 2008-09 season. Los Angeles, which owns the best record in the league, has not lost since dropping a 105-98 home decision to New Orleans on Nov. 26. The Clippers and Jazz meet again at the Staples Center on Sunday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Utah)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (23-6): Los Angeles wasted little time against Boston, hitting seven of its first 10 shots en route to a 16-4 lead. "We were able to get off to a good start," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I thought our starters had a good first quarter." Matt Barnes scored a game-high 21 points off the bench as he made 5 of 9 3-pointers. The Clippers improved to 17-0 when Barnes comes off the bench and scores in double figures. Los Angeles' 14 victories this month are a franchise high. The previous mark of 12 was shared by the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves and 1991-92 Clippers.
ABOUT THE JAZZ (15-15): Utah nearly ended Los Angeles' winning streak early but suffered a 106-105 home loss on Dec. 3. Randy Foye failed to get off a 3-point attempt before the final buzzer after hitting a shot frome beyond the arc with 1.2 seconds remaining to draw the Jazz within a point. Utah has won 10 of its last 15 overall meetings with Los Angeles. It has dropped two straight at home against the Clippers after winning 16 in a row. The Jazz struggled from 3-point range against Golden State on Wednesday, making just 4 of 17 shots. Foye and Gordon Hayward hit two apiece.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Los Angeles has won by 12 or more points 11 times during its winning streak.
2. The Jazz are 9-3 at home while the Clippers have an identical record on the road.
3. Utah is 61-19 against Los Angeles at home in the all-time series.
PREDICTION: Clippers 109, Jazz 99.