This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Overall results in the preseason almost never spill over into the regular season. So even if the Utah Jazz were to sweep the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers on Monday and Wednesday, it wouldn't mean much.

But that doesn't mean teams can't pick up a little intel on others in preparation for the real thing.

As the Jazz head into their final two games that don't count, coach Quin Snyder isn't sure how he will go about his rotations. But picking up little things on the Clippers and the Blazers, for Snyder, is important. Especially having seen them multiple times over the last three weeks.

"I think you can definitely take certain things away from playing teams more than once," Snyder said. "It's tricky because teams play differently during the preseason, and that's been different for every team. Some teams rest their guys, and some teams build to a crescendo. We've been trying to do a little bit of both."

Snyder knows intel can be a little double-edged. On one hand, little things can be important. When Clippers guard Jamal Crawford was running roughshod over the Jazz last Monday night, and Dante Exum was effective against him defensively, that's something to file away for later.

At the same time, Snyder knows rotations fluctuate widely during the season, and neither the Clippers nor the Blazers have played their regular rotations in regular minutes during previous meetings.

Since the Jazz are expected to battle Portland for Northwest Division supremacy, Snyder has looked at game film carefully, searching for any kind of subtle advantage. If nothing else, he has learned a little about each team.

"Los Angeles went through some of what we went through as far as not being healthy with some key guys," Snyder said. "We know they're one of the best teams in the league, and that's what you'd expect when you play them."

Likely short-handed

With starters Derrick Favors (knee) and Rodney Hood (hand) missing Sunday's practice, it looks as if both will miss Monday night's game against the Clippers, although it isn't official.

"Given that they didn't practice today, I'd be surprised if they played tomorrow," is how Snyder characterized Favors and Hood.

Snyder wouldn't rule either out for Wednesday's preseason game, saying they will both play when they are ready. Favors hasn't played since the preseason opener in Portland. Hood has played in two of the four games.

CP3?

Clippers All-Star point guard Chris Paul suffered a sprained left thumb on Saturday and missed Sunday's practice. The injury isn't believed to be serious, and Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said Paul is expected to play in one of the final two preseason games for the Clippers.

tjones@sltrib.com twitter: @tribjazz —

Clippers at Jazz

P NBA preseason, Monday, 7 p.m.

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