Should Clippers rest Chris Paul in Game 2?

The Clippers still managed to win Game 1 against the Rockets without Chris Paul, so should he continue to sit until he’s healthy enough to return?

The LA Clippers stunned the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Not only were the Clippers coming off a grueling battle with the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, but they were also missing their star point guard, Chris Paul because of a left hamstring injury. Surprisingly, neither of these factors seemed to hinder the Clippers at all as they went on to beat the Rockets 117-101.

The main reason for this early success in this series was the play of Blake Griffin who got his first triple double of the post season. The Clippers’ forward put up 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. Griffin played just about the best basketball game of his career, getting out in transition, causing turnovers, and rebounding like a mad man.

The Rockets seemed a bit shocked that the Clippers were competing with them early on. After capturing just a four point lead at half time, it seemed Houston thought they could just roll the basketball out on the floor and come away with a victory. That was anything but the case.

Turnovers were abundant and rebounding was absent in the Rockets play on Monday night. And they probably will have all of this fixed before Game 2.Nonetheless, the Clippers played phenomenally without Chris Paul in Game 1. And with a hamstring injury still affecting Paul’s ability to do what he does best, could it be wise for the Clippers to sit him?

Here is why they should start Chris Paul in Game 2.

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