The Clippers' loss, significant as it was for Utah, actually was a gift the Jazz perhaps could have done without.

It did get them in for sure, but it also bumped the 44-34 Sonics' lead to 1 1/2 games over the eighth-place Jazz in the chase for the West's No. 7 seed ? and the likely opportunity to avoid Sacramento's super-hot, NBA-leading Kings in the opening round.

With five games remaining in their regular season, the 42-35 Jazz do have one more game to go than Seattle. But Utah has stumbled in three of its past four, including Monday's game vs. the Mavs and last Friday night's with Sacramento.

This latest loss dropped their record against the West's top four teams ? Sacramento, Dallas, San Antonio and tonight's opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers ? to just 2-11.