Many pundits across the NBA thought when the season started that the Western Conference could be stronger and deeper than ever before.
But it’s actually turned into a battle of attrition as the calendar turns to December. Key teams are being hit with season-altering injuries seemingly by the day. And the back half of the conference playoff race may be decided by who best can manage injuries.
The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers will face off Thursday at the Staples Center, the second meeting for the two teams this season. And make no mistake, they will be significantly different teams than the first meeting.