Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Paul needs to start playing like Chris Paul again.
That’s the simple solution for the Los Angeles Clippers to get back in charge of their playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies.
When it was 2-0, Paul was playing like the NBA All-Star he is. The last two games, the Grizzlies won twice to tie the series, Paul hasn’t looked as sharp.
In Los Angeles, Paul was 16-of-28 from the floor and 3-of-7 in 3-pointers, plus 12-of-12 in free throws the first two games. With game totals of 23 and 24 points, he also had 16 assists combined in the two games and only two turnovers combined. The Clippers took a convincing 2-0 lead and it appeared they were ready to move on to the next round.
Then the series moves to Memphis and Paul forgets how he played the previous two games. He was awful in game 3, shooting 4-of-11 from the floor and committed five turnovers while scoring just eight points. It was the Clippers’ chance to put this series in the books.
On Saturday in game 4, Paul was much better with 7-of-13 shooting and 1-of-3 in triples for 19 points, plus six assists and two rebounds. The Grizzlies are playing with a lot of confidence now and could take this series in six games
But Paul has to play better than game 4. This is the NBA playoffs and the Grizzlies are playing for keeps. Paul has to dig deep in games 5 and 6, and play the best basketball of his life. If so, the Clippers will win in six. If he doesn’t, the Clippers will lose in six.
