Tim Buckley writes, the chant has long been "Beat L.A., Beat L.A."

It always used to reference the Lakers. These days, though, Jazz fans might as well be shouting about the Clippers.

My, how the mighty from Utah have fallen.

Rather than chasing Sacramento, the Lakers, San Antonio and Dallas for first place in the NBA's Western Conference playoff race, the Jazz's hopes, perhaps even expectations, are lowered this season.

At best, they might catch Seattle for seventh in the West. At least, they hope to hold off Los Angeles ? the oft-lowly Clippers, not the two-time defending NBA-champion Lakers ? for the conference's eighth and final playoff berth.
     
All this month, the Jazz have played with one eye on those pesky Clippers. Tonight, when the two teams meet at Staples Center for the first of two games in five nights, much of the Jazz's postseason fate will be at stake.