The Clippers came into Game 5 shorthanded, but not defeated. As Ty Lue said pregame, “All season long we have been having next man up mentality, we know it’s the playoffs, but we’re ready, the guys are geared up and we understand the task at hand.”
That mindset was readily clear to start the game. Paul George set the tone early, and Reggie Jackson brought the Clippers home in a stunning 119-111 win in Salt Lake City.
George had 37 points, 22 in the first half as the Clippers had to keep pace with Utah’s absolute assault on the nets.