This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

TNT analyst Reggie Miller doesn't think the Jazz's lack of playoff experience puts them at a particular disadvantage in their matchup against the Clippers.

Before Sunday's win in Los Angeles, the Jazz hadn't been to the playoffs since 2012, when they lost 4-0 to the Spurs in the first round. Utah hadn't won a playoff game since April 2010.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are in the postseason for the sixth straight year. So the conventional wisdom was, that their playoff experience would give them an edge.

But Miller doesn't see it that way.

"What have the Clippers done in the playoffs? They've gotten hurt, and they've gotten beat," Miller said. "So if you're Utah and you haven't been to the playoffs in five years — so? What have the Clippers done in the playoffs?

"So it's a pick 'em series. It really is."

His fellow TNT analyst, Kevin McHale said he figured the Jazz would be able to shake off any nervousness about their return to the posteason for the first time in half a decade.

"You settle into it pretty quickly and then you find the fun in the playoffs," McHale said — and he was proven right when the Jazz stunned the Clippers on their home floor, 97-95, in Game 1.

The Jazz are taking another step on the rebuilding road, but McHale said that just getting to the playoffs isn't enough for Utah.

"It's important for Utah to show well," he said — better than the last time they were in the playoffs, when they were swept by the San Antonio, losing four games by an average of 16 points.

The Jazz have already improved on that performance, but one game does not a series make.

Miller and McHale, however, think there's more pressure on the Clippers — and not just because Utah won Game 1.

For one thing, the weight of their own playoff history is against Los Angeles. Dating to 1970, when they were the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers have only made it to the playoffs 13 times; they've gone out in the first round eight times; they've never won a second-round series in five tries.

And despite the greatest run of success in franchise history over the past six seasons, the Clippers have nothing to show for it. And their team is aging, so the window might be closing.

"Absolutely it's closing," Miller said. "I would not say the window is shut, but here's a chance for the Clippers to make amends."

If not, there's been talk that there could be some major roster changes next season.

"It could be a very different Clippers roster next year, especially if they go out in the first round," Miller said.

On the other hand, the two TNT analysts see this as just the first of many postseason appearances for the Jazz.

Miller praised Utah's management and coaching staff for "adding veteran players like Joe Johnson, George Hill, Boris Diaw" to a roster that includes "younger guys like Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward and Dante Exum" who have "not a lot of playoff experience."

"This is the start of, hopefully, a long playoff run with that nucleus of guys in Utah," McHale said.

Scott D. Pierce covers television for The Tribune. Email him at spierce@sltrib.com; oon Twitter @ScottDPierce.