This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Let the mind games begin entering Tuesday's Game 2.

The Jazz won the opener in Los Angeles, and of course both teams are looking to gain an edge in any way possible.

There was Clippers guard Raymond Felton, who said he almost wishes Utah's Rudy Gobert "would come back and play" because he thought the Jazz played better without their injured center.

There was all-star Gordon Hayward, who said the Jazz needed to "be as desperate" as the Clippers figure to be Tuesday night.

This is just the beginning for both teams.

"We know that they are going to come out and be a lot more physical tonight," Hayward said. "We have to be ready for that."

Being ready for that means being ready to weather the storm of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, both of whom figure to play better down the stretch than they did in Game 1.

The Jazz will be without Gobert in Game 2, who is out with a hyperextended knee. Derrick Favors will start in his place, with Jeff Withey as the backup.

"I think the two days between games has done him good," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said about Favors.

The Jazz will travel back to Salt Lake immediately after Game 2. Game 3 will be Friday at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

— Tony Jones