LA Clippers face elimination, Chris Paul must come through

When it was decided on the final day of the NBA’s regular season that the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs would face each other in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs, it was clear that the Clippers would need Herculean efforts from their stars to muster a series win.

For years, the lesser half of the West’s playoff teams have served merely as San Antonio’s target practice in the first round. This year however, they are faced with a formidable first round opponent in the Clippers.

Despite lacking depth, the Clippers have put themselves in a position to win the series — thanks, in large-part, to point-guard Chris Paul.

Down three games to two, the Clippers must win a pivotal Game 6 in San Antonio to stay alive and force a winner take-all Game 7 back at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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For Paul, who hasn’t sniffed an NBA Title in his career, this is a game he should consider his for the taking.

Oftentimes in the playoffs, one man takes it upon himself to carry his team to victory, and this is a prime example.

Paul has been stellar throughout the series, save for a sloppy Game 3that saw the Clippers get blown out 100-73 in San Antonio.

He’s is averaging 22.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per-game in the postseason on 53.2 percent shooting.

As phenomenal as these numbers are, he’ll have to be even better in Game 6.

Paul always does an exceptional job at setting up his teammates, as well as getting his own shot. He’ll have to find his range quickly, and sniff out who is hot and who is not on his team from the onset.

L.A. can ill-afford to stumble out of the gates trying to get the likes of Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford going from the outside.

While having the role-players hitting shots would obviously be a boost for LA, they shouldn’t try to force anything — they simply can’t afford to.

What About Minutes?

The minutes load on Paul, as well as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will definitely be a concern — as has been the case all series long — but frankly, this is an all-or-nothing game for Doc Rivers‘ squad if they’ve ever seen one.

As much as the minutes strain can hurt the Clippers, this game should be one in which they worry not about saving anything for Game 7.

Now that the Spurs smell blood in the water, LA shouldn’t expect a lapse from their opponent in game six. San Antonio knows how valuable closing out a series early can be, especially so early in the playoffs.

How ‘Bout Blake?

Griffin has been great this series.

Although he leads the team in playoff points (23.8), rebounds (13.4), and assists (7.2), Griffin is not the one who will truly drive the Clippers in Game 6.

While statistically great, many of Griffin’s opportunities have come courtesy of Chris Paul. 53.6 percent of the all passes received by Griffin in the series have been from Paul, resulting in 4.6 field-goals made by Griffin per-game.

Additionally, about 1.5 of Paul’s 2.8 secondary assists per-game — or “Hockey assists” as some call them — have been to Griffin.

As for Griffin’s sensational rebounding, it’s simply been fantastic.

No obscure Chris Paul-based stat for that one.

All of those obscure stats should, however, help you better understand just how important Chris Paul is, and has to be going forward.

Bottom Line: There will be no game seven if they leave something in the tank

Game 6 of the best-of-seven series takes place Thursday, April 29 at 9:30 EST at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Chris Paul must dominate the limping deer that Tony Parker seems to have become in these playoffs.

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