Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Deciding Factors In Game 7
3. Clippers Bench Play
Full disclosure: the Clippers’ bench is not going to outscore San Antonio’s reserves. They haven’t in a single game this series, and even in that Game 4 win where Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers combined for 31 points, Lob City’s subs were still outscored 39-33 by the Spurs’ bench.
The Spurs’ subs (271 points) have more than doubled the scoring output of the Clippers’ bench (134 points) in this series so far.
They’ve out-rebounded them 110-40, they’ve massacred them in assists by a 64-17 margin, they’ve outshot them from the field 46 percent to 39.3 percent and their three-point percentage is a laughable 40.4 percent compared to LAC’s 18.4 percent.
When you look at the roster and see who’s on your bench http://t.co/1XSHywsTdf pic.twitter.com/x1ygct8XgK
— Mike Prada. (PRAY-duh) (@MikePradaNBA) May 1, 2015
But if the Clippers can’t at least stop the bleeding when the starters need a blow, this game could be a struggle.
With Glen Davis dealing with the sprained ankle he sustained in Game 6 last night, the Clippers need someone to step up off the bench. Jamal Crawford, the former Sixth Man of the Year, is shooting 36.6 percent from the floor in the series. Austin Rivers, believe it or not, needs to have another big game. Someone like Hedo Turkoglu or even Spencer Hawes needs to step up if Big Baby can’t play.
This may be the most difficult aspect of Game 7 for the Clippers. Even if they’re at home, where bench players typically play better, a Game 7 of this magnitude may produce some nerves for the role players. That can’t happen. For Los Angeles to win, Doc Rivers needs to be able to give Blake Griffin and Chris Paul at least a little time to rest.
Next: No. 2