Los Angeles Clippers Need Chris Paul to Win Series

If only for 85 game minutes, it appeared as though the Los Angeles Clippers were destined for greatness. Despite playing without franchise player Chris Paul, Los Angeles earned a convincing Game 1 victory on the road and entered the final 11 minutes of Game 2 with an 88-85 lead.

And then reality sunk in: without Paul, the Clippers will only go so far.

For as spectacular as Blake Griffin has been, the man who runs the show and closes games for Los Angeles is Paul. That’s no slight on Griffin, but instead a testament to just how valuable CP3 is.

Come Game 3, which is set to transpire on Friday, May 8, the Clippers need Paul to return to the lineup—full strength or otherwise.

Paul is in the midst of a campaign in which he played all 82 regular season games for the first time in his illustrious career. In the 2015 NBA Playoffs, he’s already led the Clippers to an improbable first-round victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.

That series included two wins in San Antonio—one with the Clippers trailing 2-1, and the other with L.A. down 3-2. It concluded with all-time Game 7 performances by both Paul and Griffin.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Together, Paul and Griffin have become one of the NBA’s premier duos.

Therein lies the reality that some have attempted to dispute. Griffin is emerging as a genuine NBA superstar, ripping off triple-doubles as if he were a point guard when, in reality, he’s a power forward whose position is impossible to pin down.

For as prolific as Griffin may be, it’s the combination of he and Paul that’s led Los Angeles this far.

Criticized for being a career under-achiever in the postseason, Paul has finally turned a corner in 2015. He closed out a Game 7 against the defending champions, sank multiple clutch free throws and hit the game-winner to send Los Angeles to the next round.

Based on his track record, each of those high-pressure scenarios were expected to bring the worst out of Paul.

So much for all of that.

Perhaps most impressive of all is the fact that, throughout the series against San Antonio, Paul and Los Angeles remained level-headed. Not only did Paul thrive in the clutch, but he helped the Clippers overcome what appeared to be crippling blows.

Following in the footsteps of their leader, Los Angeles has a new toughness and mentality about them.

Losing Game 5 at home and going to San Antonio for Game 6 with a 3-2 series deficit would’ve spelled defeat for Doc Rivers‘ crew in previous seasons. Rather than remaining true to form, Paul paced the Clippers with a masterful 15-assist performance to force Game 7.

Winning Game 7 was the icing on the cake.

Perhaps the true testament to Paul and the Clippers’ resilience is the way they bounced back from a devastating Game 2. After CP3 sank two clutch free throws to give L.A. what should’ve been a win, Blake Griffin lost his dribble and allowed San Antonio to tie the game.

After posting a dud in Game 3, Paul annihilated the Spurs with 34 efficient points in a vital Game 4 road victory.

That series was a true reflection of the evolution of Chris Paul, and a testament to why he’s needed from hereon out. Unfortunately, it was followed by his missing both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against a dangerous Houston Rockets team.

With Houston stumbling out of the gates, the Clippers could have taken a commanding 2-0 lead back to Los Angeles. Instead, the series is at an even 1-1 tie.

Enter CP3.

“Questionable” must change to, “He’s playing,” if the Clippers are to win this series.

Say what you will about the Rockets’ inconsistencies, but they have an MVP candidate in James Harden and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in Dwight Howard. They also have dynamic players in Terrence Jones and Josh Smith, a 3-and-D specialist in Trevor Ariza and a former NBA champion in Jason Terry.

What Houston doesn’t have is an answer for Chris Paul.

With Patrick Beverley injured, the 37-year-old Terry is currently starting at point guard. 38-year-old Pablo Prigioni has been his backup, meaning Houston’s point guard rotation consists of two players whose age adds up to 75.

For that reason and the absence of elite defensive play, Houston would have trouble with Paul.

Austin Rivers is currently starting, and while he made some big plays in Game 1, he lacks the court vision, leadership and general playmaking ability of CP3. Even if hobbled, Paul would exploit his positional mismatch as both a scorer and facilitator.

That could be the difference between Los Angeles making its first ever Western Conference Finals appearance and not.

Thus, Paul’s chance to truly exorcise his postseason demons has officially arrived. His teammates earned a road split, essentially giving Los Angeles home court advantage entering Game 3.

It’s on Paul to help the Clippers make the most of this opportunity.

When 26 first-half points by Blake Griffin isn’t enough, it’s clear something is missing.

With CP3 healthy, Los Angeles overcomes its absence of ideal depth by running a short rotation and riding its stars to the finish line. Without him, it relies on Griffin to do otherworldly things on too consistent a basis to be realistic.

The question is, will Paul rise to the occasion?

Harden will score, Howard will make life difficult in the paint and Houston’s role players will take their turns in having big performances. Without Paul, the Clippers project to fall victim to a third Western Conference Semifinals letdown in four years.

With Paul, Los Angeles would be rightfully favored to finally rip the proverbial monkey off of its back.

The weight of an organization rests on one strained hamstring.

Next: Jimmy Butler has been named the NBA's Most Improved Player. Should it have been DeAndre Jordan?

More from Hoops Habit

• The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout