Mitchell-led Jazz beat Clippers for 2-0 advantage in playoffs

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The Utah Jazz earned a 2-0 advantage in the NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers with a 117-111 victory in the second game of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday.

Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell racked up 37 points, an immense effort for the Utah's win at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

The Utah's French center Rudy Gobert also displayed a dominant performance in the paint with 13 points and 20 rebounds.

Jazz point guard Jordan Clarkson added 24 points.

Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles were the other Jazz players who scored in double digits.

The Utah's Turkish power forward Ersan Ilyasova did not play in the match.

Reggie Jackson was the highest scorer for the Clippers. He had 29 points.

His teammate Paul George made a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard added 21 points.

Leading the series 2-0 now, the Utah Jazz should win two other games to sweep the Clippers.

The next two games will be held in Los Angeles.

- Bucks narrow gap, Middleton, Antetokounmpo on fire

In the Eastern Conference semifinals game three, the Milwaukee Bucks toppled the Brooklyn Nets 86-83 to narrow the series to 2-1.

Bucks pair Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo were blazing as they made a double-double each in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum.

Middleton tallied 35 points and 15 rebounds. Antetokounmpo racked up 33 points and 14 rebounds.

The Nets' top scorer was Kevin Durant as the 32-year-old had 30 points. Durant also took 11 rebounds.

Brooklyn superstar Kyrie Irving scored 22 points for his team.

Nets small forward Bruce Brown ended the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The fourth game will be played in Milwaukee as well.