INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — Two Western Conference teams seeking momentum will meet on New Year’s Day when the Utah Jazz visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on Thursday. The Jazz (12-19) enter having won two straight, including a 127-114 road victory over San Antonio on Saturday. The Clippers (10-21) have won four of their last five, most recently defeating Detroit 112-99 at home on Sunday. Utah’s recent surge has been fueled by forward Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 27.9 points and 8.5 rebounds over his last eight games. He scored 29 points in the win over the Spurs. Rookie guard Walter Clayton, who had 17 points and five assists off the bench in that game, has provided a spark. For Los Angeles, forward Kawhi Leonard is playing at an elite level, carrying the team through a difficult season. He is coming off a spectacular 55-point, 11-rebound performance against the Pistons and is averaging 32.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists over his last 10 contests. Veteran guard James Harden remains a key facilitator, dishing seven assists alongside 28 points on Sunday. Despite their sub-.500 records, both offenses have shown high-scoring potential. The Jazz have scored 127 or more points in three of their last five games. The Clippers, meanwhile, have topped 112 points in each of their four recent wins. The teams last met on Oct. 22, with Utah securing a 129-108 home victory. The Jazz have struggled on the road this season, however, while the Clippers will look to establish a home-court advantage in their new Inglewood arena. Thursday’s contest will be a test of which team’s star forward can better lift his squad. Markkanen’s efficient scoring will be pitted against Leonard’s two-way dominance in a matchup that could hinge on secondary contributions. Following this game, Utah begins a three-game road trip in Golden State on Saturday. The Clippers host the Boston Celtics that same night.