Chris Paul doubtful for Game 2 vs Rockets Wednesday night
The LA Clippers are going to most likely be without Chris Paul for their Game 2 match up against the Houston Rockets.
The LA Clippers were just fine without Chris Paul in Game 1 of their series against the Houston Rockets. Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, and even Blake Griffin shared the load of point guard as all Chris Paul could do was watch as he tended to his injured left hamstring.
“It’s really tough, especially with the way that I play, there’s only one way I know how to play,” Paul would say in response to sitting out in Game 1. “It’s one of those tings where you don’t want to make it worse than it already is.”
On Wednesday, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers noted that Paul is doubtful to play in Game 2 as well.
Obviously it kills Paul to not be out there in what might be the last series the Clippers play this season. But it could work in his favor to sit out just one more game to be at full strength when the Clippers host the Rockets in Game 3. If the Clips could beat the Rockets in Game 1, who knows? Maybe they can steal another game from them again in Game 2.
However, the Clippers would obviously love to have Paul in the lineup. He is the team’s assist leader and their offense just doesn’t run as fluidly without him. Blake Griffin, while he did have the game of his life in Game 1, is just not as effective when Paul is on the bench. So it will be critical for the Clippers to get ball healthy and at 100% as quickly as possible.
My guess would be Paul would be good to go for Game 3. Hamstring injuries are less than serious. They are just difficult to effectively play on- especially for a point guard. Like Paul already mentioned, he only knows how to play one type of basketball and that is fast paced. Without a properly function left leg, that would be extraordinarily difficult.
Watch tonight as the short handed Clippers attempt to steal another game at Houston. My guy feeling is that James Harden isn’t going to be fooled twice and take the Clippers lightly again. He now knows what they are capable of and won’t hold anything back in Game 2. Nonetheless, the Rockets will still have their hands full come Wednesday night.
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