The Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-109, in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal round series on Tuesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz leads the series, 1-0.

The Clippers (0-1) opened the contest apparently still carrying over plenty of momentum from their big Game 7 win over the Mavericks 48 hours prior, as they emerged from the opening period with a seven-point lead that they'd extended to 13 by halftime. However, Utah came out of intermission a completely different team, outscoring Los Angeles by a 32-19 margin in the third quarter to send the game into the final period knotted up at 79. The hosts then appeared to have the game well in hand as late as the 1:48 mark of the final period, but they nearly saw their eight-point edge evaporate until Rudy Gobert blocked Marcus Morris' would-be game-tying three-point attempt with one second left to ensure victory.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 23 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. Paul George furnished 20 points, 10 boards and two assists. Luke Kennard delivered 18 points and two boards. Ivica Zubac supplied 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Morris and Reggie Jackson generated matching nine-point tallies while recording three rebounds and three assists, respectively.

Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 45 points, complementing them with five assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson netted 18 points each while posting five and two rebounds, respectively. Gobert contributed a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three blocks. Royce O'Neale finished with eight points, 11 boards, three assists, one steal and one block.

The two teams reconvene at Vivint Smart Home Arena for Game 2 on Thursday night.