Paul’s Playoff Impact

As the Los Angeles Clippers continue in the early stages of what they hope is a long run through the playoffs, the influence of veteran Paul Pierce’s goes beyond the numbers.

So far this postseason, the numbers have been light. The Truth has registered just three points over 16 minutes of playing time. But even after a Game 3 loss in Portland, his Los Angeles Clippers have a 2-1 edge in their best-of-seven first-round series with the Trail Blazers. Paul recently commented on his role with the team and the challenge of playing limited minutes in such a competitive environment.

“It’s difficult not to play when you’ve been playing your whole career,” said the 17-year veteran.

But while Paul’s impact hasn’t blown up the stat sheet yet, coach Doc Rivers is sure his time will come.

“I do. I really do,” Rivers said. “I don’t know when or where, but he will. I’m confident of that.”

Still, despite his limited role on the court right now, Paul continues to provide an undeniable presence in the L.A. locker room. His leadership stems from his years of experience, as this is the 13th time his team has appeared in the playoffs. He was leading the way again after the Clippers dropped Game 3 in Portland, emphasizing to his teammates the importance of having a healthy mindset on the road.

“You have to play with a sense of urgency. Every game has to be like that. You’ve got to understand that games on the road are going to be a lot tougher than at home,” Paul said. “The mental aspect has to change on the road. You can’t expect calls. You have to have urgency. You have to match their intensity. All those things have to go up on the road, especially after a loss.”

Paul tallied just one point in the 96-88 setback, while four Clippers scored in doubles figures. Chris Paul paced the team with 26 points and nine assists, Jamal Crawford contribute 19 points off the bench, Blake Griffin added 12 points and seven assists, and DeAndre Jordan finished with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

On the other end, the Portland backcourt could not be contained. Point guard Damian Lillard poured in 32 points, while this year’s Most Improved Player, C.J. McCollum, totaled 27.

Both teams were fairly even as far as offensive numbers, but the difference came down to defense. The Blazers also dominated the boards, outrebounding LA 56-44, which has been a strength of theirs all season.

“They played harder, so they deserved to win the game,” Rivers said. “I really thought they deserved to win the game.”

Portland led by as many as 11 in a game that featured four ties and six lead changes. L.A. briefly took a four-point lead in the final frame, but McCollum sparked a 15-3 run to end the game with a step-back triple and the Clippers had no answer. Afterward, No. 34 said the loss put added importance on Game 4.

“Now, it’s 2-1,” Paul said. “This could be a whole new series if they beat us, so we have to come in with our backs against the wall. We want to create doubt in their heads, and when you’re up 3-1, you create a lot of doubt.”