After grueling first-round series, Austin Rivers could be the key for the LA Clippers in Game 7 against the Utah Jazz
Facing elimination square in the face on the road in Game 6, the LA Clippers managed to find a way to force a deciding Game 7 at the Staples Center. After a valiant effort on behalf of Chris Paul (29 points, 8 assits), the Clippers’ postseason run will last at least one more game.
But they’re hoping more.
Electing to go small in Game 6, Doc Rivers inserted Austin Rivers into the starting lineup. It paid dividends in the way of 13-points (5-10 FG, 3-7 3PT) in 35 minutes. Rivers also finished the game plus-4 when he was on the court, the highest plus-minus of any starting Clipper.
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Even though, on the surface, those stats don’t exactly blow you away, Rivers is a crucial piece for this Clippers team. Most importantly, he takes some pressure off of Chris Paul. Rivers can shoot from the outside, he can get in the paint and finish, but he can also take on some of the ball-handling duties.
He is not the playmaker that Chris Paul is, but he can bring the ball up the court and can run the offense. He offers some more bounce and athleticism at the point guard position than both Paul and Raymond Felton. Rivers simply adds another element to this Clippers offense with his physical abilities and his youth.
Even not 100 percent healthy, Rivers made the decision to start anyways. It paid off.
"[via The Los Angeles Times]Rivers admitted that if it was still the regular season that he would not be playing. But he is, even starting Friday’s Game 6 at forward in place of Griffin.“The recovery time really hasn’t been long enough for it to properly heal 100%,” Rivers said. “If we lose, the season is over is how I kept looking at things. It’s like I’m just trying to hoop.“If it was the regular season, I wouldn’t be in a rush. I’d probably be out another week.”"
When the playoffs come around, you have to be prepared to play despite not being at 100 percent. The LA Clippers’ season was on the line, but Rivers fought through his injury and even played 35 minutes.
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Look for Rivers to be a key factor for the Clippers in Game 7. Chris Paul will definitely show up big time in Game 7 (like he has this entire postseason), there is no reason to expect anything less. However, Rivers could possibly be the difference between a date with the Warriors, or heading to the golf course early.