After a gruelling first round, the Los Angeles Clippers were up against the Utah Jazz in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. With players like Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell in form, fans were expecting a fiery contest between two top teams.
The Clippers started the game with a bang taking a 25-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Leonard and company continued their onslaught in the second quarter aswell as the Clippers led 60-47 at halftime. However, the Jazz came back in the game swiftly in the third quarter.
Donovan Mitchell took charge of the things and led the comeback charge for the Jazz. They levelled the score in the third quarter and then continued that momentum into the fourth quarter by winning the game 112-109 and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Mitchell was clearly the star of the show for the Jazz as the 2-time NBA All Star dropped 45 points on the night to lead them to victory. He shot 16 out of 30 shots and amazingly outscored the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the night.
NBA Legend and Analyst Charles Barkley who was massively impressed by D Mitch sung his praises in his recent appearance on TNT. Barkley said, “What you saw tonight was a star saying, we’re not going to lose tonight.”
“When the third quarter started, Donovan Mitchell said I’m going to shoot this thing every time, shoot a three or go to the basket. He said, ‘we’re not going to lose tonight.’ The other guys chipped in late. But to me, this is the difference between a star and just regular players: he was not going to let them lose that game tonight.”
“He was so aggressive. And listen, it’s like he said. These guys can’t make no shots. I’m going to shoot it every time. And I actually liked it. When you’re a starter, that’s your responsibility,” Barkley signed off.
While a lot of people have overlooked the Jazz as title contenders, they can very well pose a threat at the Championship with Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley putting up their best performances. However, at first they need to fend off the tough challenge from the Clippers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
