Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Vs. Jazz

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts at the end of the Clippers 97-95 loss to the Utah Jazz in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Jazz won on a buzz-beater by Joe Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots a jump shot to tie the score 95-95 in Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chris Paul Still Needs To Shoot More

Chris Paul nearly sent this game into overtime with the clutch shot pictured above. While he will not get any shine after Joe Johnson responded with a buzzer-beater, Paul nonetheless put together a masterful performance.

Chris Paul ended the night with 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting, 11 assists, seven rebounds and three steals against just one turnover. However, his overall stat line does not tell the full story. Paul scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the fourth quarter with no assists as he carried the Clippers’ offense down the stretch. He nearly outscored the rest of the Clippers combined in the period, as Los Angeles actually outscored Utah 25-23 in the final frame.

The team tends to perform better when Paul looks to score, and that held to form in this game. Paul is an efficient and effective scorer, even with an elite defender like George Hill hounding him on every possession. Paul will need to try to put points up before the end of the game for the Clippers to take control of this series.

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