Doc Rivers says Chris Paul is 50/50 for Game 2 vs Rockets

Clippers star guard Chris Paul may or may not play in game two vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Clippers were without star point guard Chris Paul in game one of their semifinal series against the Houston Rockets. They ended up not needing him, winning 117-101 without their injured leader.

They might not be so lucky a second time, which is why they need to hope for a swift recovery from Paul. According to head coach Doc Rivers, there’s a 50/50 chance that Paul will play in game two against the Rockets.

Paul has a strained left hamstring, suffered in their thrilling game seven victory over the San Antonio Spurs in round one. He was injured in the first quarter, but returned in the second quarter to put in an absolutely brilliant performance, scoring 27 points despite the injury to propel the Clippers past the defending champs.

However, Rivers decided that it wouldn’t be wise to play Paul in the team’s first game against the Rockets. Luckily for them, Blake Griffin stepped up in a huge way, putting up a triple double to lead the team to a surprising victory without his fellow star.

They’ll be lucky to get the same result in the second game, however. MVP runner-up James Harden scored 20 points but committed nine turnovers, and the Rockets were unable to take advantage of a huge opportunity to score a win against a CP3-less Clippers squad. There’s a 50 percent chance they’ll get that same opportunity a second time, and they’ll be unlikely to mess things up again.

If Paul remains unable to play, he’ll again be replaced by a combination of Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers. That combo should have equaled a prime opportunity for the Rockets, but the West’s second seeded team was unable to capitalize.

The 29-year-old Paul, who finished sixth in the MVP voting this season, averaged 19.2 points and a league-best 10.1 assists per game this season. He is vital to the Clippers’ success, especially on a team with such a shallow bench. Despite the first game win, the Clippers need Paul to make a run, and will be hoping those 50/50 odds get a lot better by tomorrow.

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