This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When the Clippers can get out and run in transition, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. They didn't get the nickname "Lob City" for nothing.

The Jazz, however, haven't allowed the Clippers to get out and run. It's one of the major storylines in a series the Jazz lead 3-2 and have a chance to close out at home on Friday in Game 6. at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Utah has dictated the pace, and the tempo of the series. Instead of the open-court style the Clippers prefer, much of the series has been played in the halfcourt. Instead of lobs, there have been rebounds. Instead of excitement, there have been groans through the Staples Center.

"We've just tried to come out with toughness and attitude," Jazz center Rudy Gobert said. "Rebounding the ball has been a big emphasis, especially with DeAndre [Jordan] on the other team. He's a great rebounder, so we've done a great job of being active on the defensive glass."

The Jazz have frustrated the Clippers by milking possessions, isolating against the shot clock and making tough shots as the buzzer goes off. Utah's defense has been suffocating since Gobert returned in Game 4 from a hyperextended knee.

The Jazz have also limited their turnovers, so the Clippers haven't gotten easy baskets. And they've out rebounded the Clippers in two straight games.

"It's tough, because they are a very good offensive team," Gobert said. "We have to make sure to keep their shooters far from the basket and protect the rim."

Switching it up

Like he has done at times during the past two seasons, Jazz coach Quin Snyder went stretches of Game 5 without a traditional point guard, preferring to allow Joe Ingles to take on the main ballhandling duties with George Hill resting in the fourth quarter.

Snyder did this for a few reasons. He wanted to throw bigger defenders at Chris Paul, and he wanted to keep Ingles and Rodney Hood on the floor at the same time.

"We've used Joe Ingles at that position," Snyder said. "I'm confident in our wings' ability to handle the ball and then when you put Joe Johnson on the floor, you've got four guys. I feel like it also makes us pretty good defensively at times."

Odds and ends

Neither team has won a game in this series by more than eight points. … The Jazz outscored the Clippers in the paint for the second consecutive game. … The Jazz made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of Game 5, three by Hood.

Twitter: @tribjazz