Point Vs. Point
Chris Paul has been a thorn in the Jazz’s side the whole series, averaging 27 points and 10 assists per game while finishing a cumulative plus-15. This isn’t exactly surprising — Paul is one of the league’s best players — but Utah point guard George Hill has been no slouch this year either.
It looks like Paul just has another gear to go to when the stakes raise and the difference between him and Hill was illustrated on Tuesday.
In opposition to Paul’s stellar output, Hill managed 12 points and seven assists on putrid 3-of-12 shooting, including a 0-for-5 performance from behind the arc.
Many of his shot attempts were off-the-dribble jumpers or three-pointers that just weren’t falling for most of the game.
Paul, on the other hand, was adept at nailing these type of shots, working off screens at the top of the key and maneuvering around the Jazz defense. Look how similar this shot is to the one Hill missed:
Paul’s shotmaking ability was also on display in isolation sets, where he was able to create space from his larger defenders and get off mid-range attempts or the occasional three-pointer. Hill has the size advantage, but Paul uses his momentum and angle to bump the Jazz guard off-balance.
Hill did step up down the stretch, nailing four consecutive free throws that could have let the Clippers back in the game. The Jazz will need a strong two-way effort from him in Game 6, as Paul will be doing everything in his power to stave off elimination.