Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz, Marcus Morris, LA Clippers. (Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)
Rudy Gobert‘s incredible block gives Game 1 to the Utah Jazz over the visiting LA Clippers.
If not for Rudy Gobert’s late-game heroics, there is a chance the Utah Jazz could be down 0-1 to the LA Clippers in their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinals series.
Game 1 was hanging in the balances with the Clippers having a chance to tie the game at 112 points apiece inside of the final seconds. Los Angeles worked the ball around the perimeter before giving Marcus Morris one last shot at a game-tying 3-pointer. The defensive maven that is Gobert used his 7-foot frame to thwart Morris’ shot attempt. With one incredible swat, it was game over.
Here is the latest example of why Gobert is regular the best defensive player in the NBA today.
Rudy Gobert saves the day for the Utah Jazz in Game 1 with this sweet block
Utah earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this year. With so many postseason regulars out of the NBA Playoffs already, it could be Utah’s year to win the whole thing for the first time in franchise history. This is a balanced and well-coached team that thrives playing in front of the raucous home crowd in Salt Lake City. They might be the favorites to win the West.
Though the Clippers are not going to go away quietly, Utah can collectively exhale after almost losing back-to-back Game 1’s in these playoffs. While they were able to defeat the No. 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies rather easily, the Clippers have the star power in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to win the West as well. For now, Utah takes a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 on Thursday.
Gobert’s game-winning block is more proof that basketball will always be a game of inches.