Fansided

Should Clippers rest Chris Paul in Game 2?

By FanSided Staff

November 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts on the bench during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 121-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts on the bench during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 121-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives past New York Knicks guard Shane Larkin (0) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives past New York Knicks guard Shane Larkin (0) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Play Chris Paul, don’t test your luck

The Clippers got lucky in Game 1. Let’s not sugar coat this. The Houston Rockets weren’t ready to play and the Clippers capitalized. Having Blake Griffin play a shift at point guard is absolutely mad, and a simple trap or full court press would cause turnover after turnover if the Clippers try to do this again. This worked in Game 1, but it isn’t something I would suggest attempting in Game 2.

Yes, the Clippers do have Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford to take some of the load off of Griffins shoulders. But Crawford is best suited to play the two-guard role. Taking away minutes from Crawford from where he can score the most will prove to be unwise down the stretch for the Clippers. Additionally, Austin Rivers is anything but playoff ready. He is the coaches son and had an excellent showing in Game 1. But to think that Rivers is ready to compete with the likes of Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni in more than one game is perhaps a bit ambitious. After all, he did get his first playoff start on Monday night.

So even if Chris Paul can only play 25 productive minutes, the Clippers should go ahead and give him the nod. Their is no reason to. This could be the last series of the season, they can’t hold anything back now. Especially if the Clippers get a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets heading into Game 3 at the Staple Center. Play Chris Paul, Doc. you’re going to need all the help you can get against a mad James Harden.

Next: Sit Paul, save your star for when he's ready

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