Ten seconds... Nine... Eight... the game clock drains toward its final destination of triple-zero as two Western Conference foes inch closer to a final. Isaiah Collier, Utah’s rookie point guard pounds the ball into the hardwood with an eye on the game clock. The home crowd roars as this meeting between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers nears its inevitable conclusion.
Four... three... two seconds before the buzzer sounds, but instead of darting across the floor in hopes of finding an open shot attempt, the offense stands with their hands collapsed onto their hips, defeated.