Los Angeles Clippers: 3 Takeaways From Brutal Game 5 Loss

April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts while watching game action 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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Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick shoots against the defense of Utah Jazz guard George Hill during the second half of Game 5. Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports. /

3: The Return of J.J. Redick

J.J. Redick had a tough go of it in this series prior to Game 5. The Jazz forced him away from the three-point line defensively and he could not adjust.

Redick averaged 7.8 points per game on 34.5 percent shooting from the floor and just 26.7 percent shooting from deep through the first four games.

He passed up a number of open looks, prompting a speech from DeAndre Jordan (aired via TNT’s mics) earlier in the series pleading with him to be more aggressive.

However, Redick turned around that rough start to the series in Game 5. Redick finished with 26 points on just 12 shots, including 9-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. He adjusted to his tight coverage beyond the arc by driving to the rim:

While the Clippers could have used this version of Redick earlier in the series, they need him more than ever with Blake Griffin out.

This Game 5 performance will be tough to match, but Redick will need to be more like this version of himself than the version from the first four games for the Clippers to pull off a series comeback.

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