From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Game 1 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz had fans at Staples Center clinging to the edge of their seats.
Despite losing starting center Rudy Gobert to a hyperextended left knee at the outset, Utah managed to pull out a gutsy 97-95 win on the road, with veteran Joe Johnson scoring the final bucket at the buzzer.
Blake Griffin tallied just six of his game-high 26 points in the second half as the Jazz clamped down defensively inside. Chris Paul piled up 25 points—including the tying shot with 13 seconds left—along with 11 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.