This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Of course, the Utah Jazz want to win tonight and break a four game losing streak. Of course, the Jazz want to walk into EnergySolutions Arena, defeat the Los Angeles Clippers and improve on a 5-11 record that seems to be spiraling out of control.

But it's more than that.

At Saturday's shootaround, Utah coach Quin Snyder talked about a single mission that leads to winning, not the winning itself. He simply wants to get better. He wants his team to play cleaner basketball than they have been. He wants his team to stop making little mistakes, the mistakes that lead to defeat.

"It's kind of like driving home," Snyder said. "When you know your way home and know what you're doing, you can drive a little faster. You don't want to break the speed limit, but you also can be a little more loose. If you are driving home for the first time, you take a little more time with it. This is like we're driving home for the first time."

The Jazz play the Clippers tonight, the 10-5 Los Angeles Clippers who have won five of their last six games. A few weeks ago, there were questions about Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and company. Their motion offense wasn't clicking. They weren't defending. But now, they've started to play much better.

Never was that more apparent than last night, going into Houston and handing the Rockets a rare home defeat. So, obviously, the Jazz have a lot on their hands tonight.

"They've been fantastic," Snyder said. "They are playing very well, so we want to come in tonight and compete. We want to do the little things, and be consistent."

For Snyder, that means not turning the ball over at such an alarming rate. It means not going on prolonged scoring droughts. It means not starting slow in the first or third quarters. All have been bug-a-boos through the losing streak. All are something that Snyder wants to correct, things that lead to winning.

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The Jazz have a bit of significant injury news. It looks as if forward Rodney Hood will play tonight. He's listed as probable. His presence will give a jolt to a second unit that's struggled to score as of late.

Forward Jeremy Evans will be out with a sprained ankle. He hasn't been in the rotation this season, but his ability to provide energy off the bench has been valuable.

Tony Jones