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Los Angeles Clippers: Bench Output Will Determine Series

By Andrew C. Fisher

Apr 26, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Clippers might as well have been going into a Game 7 on Sunday in Texas. Down 2-1 to the world champion San Antonio Spurs, it was do-or-die time for Chris Paul and company in Game 4. With their backs against the wall and specifically with everyone doubting their bench, the Clippers delivered in a big way.

Game 4 was undeniably huge for Los Angeles. During the halftime broadcast Jalen Rose even went as far to say that it was the biggest in franchise history. Obviously the team has made it deeper into the postseason before, but this game may have been the biggest because of everything that’s hanging in the balance. That, and the fact that L.A. was also coming off its worst ever playoff defeat.

The many questions surrounding the future of this group of guys have at least been set aside for now thanks to this big road victory. It’s also likely to give Doc Rivers‘ team a much-needed shot of confidence.

So, how did they get the job done?

For starters, the Spurs were not on their A-game. They shot just 24 percent from the downtown and only 71 percent from the charity stripe. Tiago Splitter and Danny Green managed a big ol’ goose egg between them in the scoring column, which is really just pathetic when you consider the fact that it’s playoff time.

But regardless of how it’s achieved, a road win in San Antonio is a road win in San Antonio. The Clippers definitely deserve credit for coming out strong in what was, at minimum, the biggest game of the CP3 era.

Los Angeles can mainly thank its bench for putting it over the top in this crucial game. Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers combined for 31 points, and although Glen Davis didn’t blow up the stat sheet, he still made an impact with his effort and defense.

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If Rivers could somehow become a reliable scorer off the bench the rest of the way this postseason, the Clippers would be in a lot better shape. It’s unrealistic to think he can drop 16 points in 17 minutes every night, especially given his 7.0 PPG career average, but if he can at least put up half of what he did in Game 4 the Clippers will have a lot more breathing room.

While the bench kept L.A. in a position to win Game 4, it was ultimately the stars who finished off the Spurs.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin combined for another mega stat line of 54 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists, getting back to their dominant Game 1 ways.

All of these stats equal one crystal clear formula moving forward. The Clippers are a star-heavy, thin rotation team. They’ll have to continue relying on Paul and Griffin for the bulk of their scoring, while the bench can hopefully build some momentum. Big Baby has definitely impacted the series at times with his energy, but Los Angeles needs more than two points from him moving forward.

The Clippers bench is probably never going to outscore another bench the rest of the playoffs, but if they can at least keep it close it should make a dramatic difference. Being outscored by an average of 22 points, which is what happened in the first three games, just isn’t going to cut it.

Heading into Game 5, it’s a new series. The horrible disappointment of Game 3 is now a thing of the past and irrelevant moving forward. If Chris Paul and Blake Griffin continue to play in top gear and the supporting cast keeps the positive momentum going, you have to once again like the Clippers’ chances of winning this first-round series.

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