Clippers turn back Jazz after letting big lead slip away in fourth quarter

This game was pegged as the Clippers’ first early-season test against a Utah Jazz team with moxie.

And it was, helped in part by a languid stretch in the fourth quarter by the Clippers.

But once the Clippers recovered from a few blows from the Jazz in the fourth that was specifically delivered by rookie Donovan Mitchell, L.A. grinded its way to a 102-84 win Tuesday night at Staples Center before 16,607 fans.

The Clippers have now won their first three games by double-digits, but it took a bigger effort to hold back the Jazz.

“I think it’s just important for us, having two games that weren’t really close down the stretch, to kind of get tested a little bit,” Blake Griffin said after producing 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes, 43 seconds.

“I thought we did a good job of maintaining our composure, getting stops on the defensive end when we needed it. Guys hit big shots. That’s a good lesson for us.”

The Clippers built a 21-point lead early in the fourth quarter, seemingly on their way to an easy win.

But Jazz rookie guard Donovan Mitchell began to heat up in the fourth, scoring 11 straight points over one stretch for the Jazz, his effort helping trim the Clippers’ lead to 83-76 and forcing Clippers coach Doc Rivers to call a timeout with 6:38 left.

Mitchell had 15 of his 19 points in the fourth.

The Clippers didn’t respond right away, watching their lead get down to 88-82.

But a hook by Patrick Beverley (19 points), a steal by Danilo Gallinari that led to an Austin Rivers three-pointer and a steal by Jordan that led to a Gallinari jumper gave the Clippers a 13-point cushion.

And it gave the Clippers a measure of revenge against the Jazz, which knocked L.A. out of the first round of the playoffs last season.

“Well, they beat us in the playoffs, so for the guys that were here for that, I’m pretty sure that that was something that was in the back of our minds,” said Jordan, who had another double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds.

“And the guys that weren’t here, we wanted to come out and set the tone against a really good defensive team who makes you grind for the whole 24-second shot clock.”

Of course this game against the Jazz would be a bigger challenge for the Clippers than their first two outings against the young and overmatched Lakers and Phoenix Suns, respectively.

The Clippers easily won those first two games by an average of 29 points, even inflicting a 42-point pasting on the Suns.

Utah, as expected, slowed the pace and made the Clippers work for their points. Utah, again as expected, was a bigger impediment on defense for the Clippers than their first two opponents.

“It was respectable opponent,” Beverley said. “Not to disrespect the Suns or the Lakers, of course, but it’s one of those teams that’s a playoff-bound team, that’s been to the playoffs. It was a good test for us and I think as a unit we responded well.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner