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Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers: Playoffs Position Matchups

By Jason Oliver

Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) talk mid court during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) talk mid court during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

George Hill vs. Chris Paul

George Hill might not be at the forefront of people’s minds when they think of the Utah Jazz, but for those that regularly watch the team, he’s arguably the difference between this season and last.

The stability he provides at the position is something that Jazz have lacked in recent years. His length makes him the perfect fit on a team renowned for it’s stifling and unpenetrable defense while his shooting makes him a threat from beyond the arc.

He might be the key to their success moving forward this season, and there will be few tests more difficult than what lies ahead in round one.

For all the “he’s never made the Finals” and “he doesn’t know how to win” talk, Chris Paul is a future Hall of Famer.

His box score numbers give a pretty fair indication of what Hill is going to be defending: everything.

Paul scores buckets, enough for 18.1 points per game this season but can be called upon to score more as he was in Game 1 of the series, scoring 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting.

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Playing predominantly out of a pick and roll, CP3 took most of his shots from midrange in the regular season, connecting on 51 percent of his looks.

Offering up what most people consider the most inefficient shot in the game isn’t an option for Hill in this case, but neither is playing Paul too tight. Averaging 9.1 assists per game, Blake Griffin is the recipient of 36 percent of Paul’s passes, converting those passes into points 49 percent of the time.

There isn’t a scouting report in the world that has been able to contain the Clippers point guard, and it’s unlikely Quin Snyder and company buck the trend given Paul’s 25-point, 11-assist performance in Game 1.

The best Hill can do is limit his options and opportunities – make Paul force the odd pass and make contested shots.

Chances are he will find a way to score and get his teammates the ball but so long has he’s made to work harder the usual, Hill is doing his job.

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