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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 11: Saying Goodbye To Westbrook, The Spurs’ Next Great Point Guard And ‘Ice-O Joe’ Arrives

By Gerald Bourguet

April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after he scores a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after he scores a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Ice-O Joe

He goes by many names. Joe Jesus. Iso-Joe. Seven-Time All-Star. Hell, we can even throw Ice-O Joe into the mix now, because the man clearly has ice water running through his veins.

Whatever you want to call him, Joe Johnson is the reason the Utah Jazz are on the cusp of winning their first playoff series since 2010.

In Game 1, it was his 21 points and game-winning buzzer-beater that sunk the Clippers. In Game 4, he scored 11 consecutive points during one fourth quarter stretch en route to a 28-5-5 line. And in Game 5 Tuesday night, his dagger with less than 30 seconds left put the game out of reach and gave Utah a 3-2 series lead.

For the series, Ice-O Joe is averaging 21.0 points per game on .600/.583/1.000 shooting splits in Jazz wins, compared to 14.0 points per game on .429/.100/.750 splits in losses. Per NBA.com, he’s a staggering 8-for-10 from the floor in clutch situations during these playoffs.

He’s been unstoppable late in games and unguardable one-on-one. His production has directly translated to wins when his veteran poise kicks in. He’s basically been what the Los Angeles Clippers hoped Paul Pierce would be.

Gordon Hayward is the star for the Utah Jazz, especially when he’s not dealing with food poisoning. Rudy Gobert‘s return was the game-changer for the series. But at age 35, Ice-O Joe has been the constant, driving force behind a team that’s poised to end the Lob City era.