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

Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) and Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) on the court during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Truth…and nothing but the truth

If you don’t remember much from the 2000’s Boston Celtics or their 2008 championship run, that’s okay. It may be too much to ask a 39 year old that plays about 10 minutes a game to fully embody his play in his prime.

On the bright side, there are bits and pieces of his game Pierce still carries with him. In this very winnable series against the Jazz, it’s his responsibility to do those things to the best of his ability. One of those things is his shooting.

I’m sure you all remember this:

And even this:

If Paul Pierce ends up playing in a clutch-time situation against the Jazz, then something went terribly wrong. But just in general, he’s capable of hitting big shots and not letting the pressure get to him. The Clippers’ will need a lot of that against Utah.

Matchup vs Johnson

In the one game he played against the Jazz, Pierce was matched up against 35 year old Joe Johnson the most. The two should be fairly familiar with each other from all the time they spent playing against each other in the eastern conference (Pierce in Boston and Johnson in Atlanta). And although Pierce has 4 years on Johnson, I think it’s easy to say who the more seasoned veteran is.

Nonetheless, Pierce’s only real job on the court is to stay with his man and hit his shots. Simple enough, right?