Joe Stevens recaps the Jazz-Clippers game.

"It was one of the most meaningful games the Clippers have played since making the playoffs in 1997. And, well, for the rest of the season, the games figure to be getting less and less meaningful.  

The wily Utah Jazz repeatedly got wide-open shots, shot an impressive 54.7 percent and took control of the race for the final Western Conference playoff spot with a 105-92 victory over the Clippers before 19,513 Saturday night at Staples Center. The Clippers lost their 13th consecutive game to the Jazz and haven't beaten them since 1999.

The Clippers (37-37) fell 4?1/2 games behind the Jazz (41-32). The teams have a rematch in Utah on Wednesday, but the Jazz need just five wins or five Clipper losses to clinch the final playoff spot."

Art Thompson's report on Utah's win over the L.A. Clippers.

"It was a game the Clippers had to have if their dying playoff hopes were to have any life.

After Saturday night's 105-92 loss to the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, the Clippers are not mathematically eliminated from the Western Conference playoff chase, but their chances are remote after they fell to the eighth-place Jazz for the 13th consecutive time.

"Until we're mathematically eliminated, we're still going to play as though we have a chance to get in, because we do," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said.

You might say the Clippers fumbled away an opportunity to put the heat on Utah, because a Clippers victory would have shaved the Jazz lead over the Clippers to 2 1/2 games for the final playoff spot."

Elliot Teaford gives the Clippers' slant on their loss to the Jazz.

"Well, that was fun while it lasted. The Clippers' season came to a figurative end, although not a literal one, with a 105-92 loss Saturday to the Utah Jazz before a sellout crowd of 19,513 at Staples Center.

Mathematically, the Clippers are still alive in their quest for a Western Conference playoff berth. There are eight games left on their schedule, including a rematch Wednesday with the Jazz at the Delta Center.

Realistically, though, they're history after Saturday's loss left them 41/2 games behind the Jazz in the battle for the eighth and final spot. Predictably, no one waved a white towel in surrender in the Clipper camp at game's end."

Steve Luhm's recap of Utah's big win over the L.A. Clippers.

"The Jazz may not be expected to do much in the playoffs, but they took a giant step toward getting there Saturday night at the Staples Center.
   
Bryon Russell poured in 19 points and John Stockton scored eight of his 16 points in the final 5:09 as the Jazz secured their hold on eighth place in the Western Conference with a 105-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
   
Moving nine games over .500 for the first time this season, the Jazz (41-32) pulled 4 1/2 games ahead of the ninth-place Clippers (37-37) with nine games left. The Jazz are 1 1/2 games behind seventh-place Seattle and three games behind sixth-place Portland."

Tim Buckley writes that the Jazz are close to the playoffs, but they aren't dwelling on it.

"John Stockton swore he hasn't been keeping track.
     
Didn't know just how far back those pesky Los Angeles Clippers really were. Didn't care much, either.

DeShawn Stevenson, right, helped the Jazz leap past L.A. and Tremaine Fowlkes Saturday.

Good thing for the Jazz their 40-year-old point guard hasn't wasted much mental energy worrying about such trivial matters. Because Utah needed every bit of Stockton's focus, and that of several others, to beat the Clips for a 13th straight time.
     
Once they did, holding on to win 105-92 Saturday night in front of 19,513 at the sold-out Staples Center, the Jazz could feel much better about the likelihood of making a 19th consecutive trip to the NBA playoffs."

According to Elliot Teaford of the Los Angeles Times, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said some weeks ago that small forward Lamar Odom probably would not play again this season because of a sprained right wrist and ankle. He said it again Saturday.

"Lamar is not going to play again, guys," Gentry told reporters before the Clippers played the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. "Regardless of what he says ... I mean, he's still walking with crutches. He'd have to be playing tonight to be able to finish out the regular season. It doesn't make sense. He could do more damage to his wrist."

Gentry added that he was looking forward to seeing a healthy Odom playing next season alongside vastly improved center Michael Olowokandi and maturing power forward Elton Brand.

The question is, will Odom and Olowokandi be back? Olowokandi will be a restricted free agent after the season and the Clippers could look to trade Odom in the summer.