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Clippers host Jazz, look to stay in playoff hunt

Mar 23, 2007 - 4:51 PM Utah (44-23) at LA Clippers (32-36) 10:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Clippers got some help from the Utah Jazz earlier this week. They won't be expecting any Friday.

Clinging to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Clippers host the Jazz, who have won all three meetings this season.

While the Clippers were nearing the end of a six-game road trip, the Jazz edged the Golden State Warriors, 104-100, on Tuesday as Carlos Boozer went for 25 points and 21 rebounds. Utah snapped a four-game slide.

Utah's win prevented Golden State from pulling into a tie for eighth place in the West with Los Angeles, which held onto its precarious postseason perch with Wednesday's shaky 104-103 victory at Milwaukee.

The win gave the Clippers a solid 3-3 mark on their trip but was not without controversy. Los Angeles squandered a 22-point lead to shorthanded Milwaukee and needed a runner by former Buck Jason Hart with three seconds left to escape with the win.

The shot bounced twice on the rim before falling in. There was a question whether the bucket would count as it appeared Elton Brand came from the weak side and tapped the ball as it was within the cylinder.

The Clippers have lost three times to the Jazz this season by an average of 17 points. The teams have not met since December 26.