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Clippers-Blazers: 5 advantages L.A. has for NBA playoffs

By Tom West

Nov 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The best defensive point guard in the NBA

With Damian Lillard, the Blazers are armed with their own elite point guard. He’s broken out yet again with a career-year, averaging 25.1 points and 6.9 assists per game, leading the Blazers to heights that no one thought possible after they lost so many instrumental players. He’s an excellent talent and now has C.J. McCollum next to him who’s just broken out in his own right as a frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award, but there’s one way in which the Clippers outclass them.

As a scorer, Lillard may have an edge in the Clippers-Blazers matchup. But in every other facet of the game and defense in particular, the Clippers have the best in the NBA.

For the last four years, Chris Paul has been an All-Defensive first team point guard, headlining the league’s deepest position as the clear-cut best defender. With the way he can read and react in passing lanes so effectively, play with bulldog-like strength and smother guards and players above his size at the perimeter, he’s the best there is. CP3 is such a rare player due to the way he can be the MVP of a team at both ends of the floor.

This season is no different. He’s only stepped up in the absence of Griffin, and that includes his defense which has led the Clippers alongside DeAndre Jordan to rank 4th in defensive efficiency.

During his games against the Blazers this season, Paul’s defensive impact has been key to the Clippers winning the series 3-1. Because with the pressure he applies to Lillard, the Blazers’ superstar has averaged 18 points (7.1 below his average) and shot a mere 32.5 percent from the floor (9.4 below his average). On top of that, McCollum only shot 25 percent from three and 39 percent overall in their four games this season.

Even though Lillard will be more motivated than ever to prove himself and his team in the playoffs, expect Paul to be guarding him with every bit of intensity he can muster to limit Lillard’s dangerous scoring as much as possible.

Next: Frontcourt talent

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