Clipped!

Well, the Jazz fell to the Clippers last night in Los Angeles. It is never good for the ol' self-esteem to drop a game against the Clippers, and last night was no different. It felt like a red-hot steak knife being jabbed into my chest, and that's not being dramatic. I was actually able to watch the whole game, live and in beautiful HD (high definition, if you have been living in a rock for the past 10 years, or if you are older than 65 years of age). I was ready for a nice thumping of the Clippers as I have become accustomed to over the past 789 years, but it was not so last night. The Clippers actually really deserved to win; they played hard, they shot very well--especially in the first half, and the Jazz were cold for much of the game. Utah actually never led the entire game!

That's not to say it wasn't exciting, because it was. Utah caught back up and was only down by two points with 40 seconds to play. The Clippers had the ball, but Carlos Boozer stole it and lofted it downcourt for Deron Williams. Williams drove to the basket, hung in the air, and was fouled. He had two free throws, giving the Jazz the chance to tie it up with less than 30 seconds to play. As a Jazz fan, you can't ask for anything better: your star guard on the free throw line with a chance to tie the game and possibly send it into overtime! However, much to my dismay: clank, clank, and the game was over. And I had to go purge in the bathroom sink.

March is going to be a tough month for the Jazz, with several road games against good teams. They are going to have to play better than last night if they expect to remain at the top of the Western Conference heading into the homestretch of the season. Let's hope they cinch up their diapers and get to work!