LA Clippers: What Paul Pierce can do against the Utah Jazz

As the LA Clippers prepare for their first round playoffs match-up with the Utah Jazz, here’s how Paul Pierce needs to contribute for a series victory.

With the first round match-up against the Utah Jazz approaching, it’s time for each player on the LA Clippers to elevate their game and really get into their stride. That includes 39 year old Paul Pierce. It’s time for him to lace up his shoes, put on his headband, tuck away his AARP card, and recapture The Truth that’s still inside of him.

Here is a summary of Paul Pierce’s numbers this season:

2016-17

 G    PTS      TRB      AST      FG%      3FG%      FT%      eFG%       PER      MPG

23    3.1       2.0       0.4       38.1      34.2     83.3%    48.4%      5.0       11.7

With regards to the Jazz, Pierce has played  in one game against the Jazz this season. He’s how he fared:

March 25th vs Jazz

PTS   AST      TRB      FMG-FGA      FG%      FTM-FTA      FT%      +/-      MP

4         0             2                1-2           50%           2-2          100%     11       15

You would imagine (and many would hope) that Pierce would play little to no minutes in the playoffs. But with the potential absence of Austin Rivers, you can expect The Truth to be playing similar minutes that he’s been playing lately.

He’s had a recent spike in minutes since March 16th at Denver, and especially in Austin’s absence that began March 30th in Phoenix. Over the past several games, Pierce has been in more of a normal rotation. This rotation includes playing at the start of the 2nd quarter, to start the 4th quarter, and late in games when it is a blowout.

It’s highly unlikely that Pierce will play more time than that. Fortunately, he has just enough of an opportunity to make an impact. Whether that be on or off the court, Pierce can be a difference maker for the Clippers in the playoffs.