Clippers hang 144 points on Jazz in blowout win

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — At least Jazz fans didn’t have to stay up late to know the outcome of Monday’s game; it was all but over at the end of the first quarter.

Led by James Harden’s 24 points, the Los Angeles Clippers had a 44-20 lead after the first 12 minutes. And well, it never got closer after that, as the Clippers routed Utah 144-107 at the Intuit Dome.

The Jazz have been the balm for the Clippers this season. Twice has Utah rolled into Inglewood to face a team on a three-game losing streak; and twice the Clippers used it as fair play.

Harden finished with 41 points, Norman Powell added 29 and Ivica Zubac had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the blowout. The three combined to shoot 31-for-44 on the night.

As a team, LA shot 60% from the field, 54% from 3-point range and led by as many as 42 points.

The 144 points are the most given up by Utah this season, but it was far from an outlier. The Jazz have now allowed four of their last five opponents to score 130 or more points. The fifth game? Utah’s 141-99 win over Portland — yes, that makes sense.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 20 points and Lauri Markkanen added 17 on 5-of-9 shooting.

This story will be updated.