LA Clippers: What J.J. Redick can do against the Utah Jazz
As the LA Clippers prepare for their first round playoffs match-up with the Utah Jazz, here is how J.J. Redick needs to contribute for a series victory.
The first round match-up against the Utah Jazz will take a full team effort. Utah is one of the most improved teams in the league this year and a big part of that has to do with their depth at every position. What does J.J. Redick needs to contribute in order for the LA Clippers to advance into the second round? First, let’s take a look back at the highlights from this season.
This season, J.J. Redick averaged the following:
| Season | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | .446 | .428 | .466 | .558 | .885 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 15.0 |
His best game of the season came recently against the Washington Wizards. J.J. erupted for 31 points on 9 of 15 shooting, including 7 made three pointers. That game ended up being the best offensive game of the year for the Clippers’ starters and the first time that J.J., Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan all scored 20+ points in the same game.
The day before this game, J.J. gave us the chance to speak to him and gave his perspective on the Jazz:
"I think they’re a very physical team, both offensively and defensively and I think for us, we’re at our best when we are the instigator. So, we sort of have to come every game with that mindset and match their intensity. From a personnel standpoint, they have a very deep team. They have a lot of talent."
So, if the Clippers need to be the instigator, what exactly does that mean for J.J. Redick? Let’s find out.