Prediction
This will be a grueling, defensive minded, low scoring series. Everyone needs to be a factor, especially without Austin leading the second unit. He will offer very valuable minutes when Chris Paul and J.J. get their rest. Austin will be a scrapper on defense, and will hit some big shots down the stretch. He has no struggle in the spotlight, who can forget game six in Portland last playoffs? He posted an incredible 21 points along with 8 assists and 6 rebounds!
Rivers kept the Clippers in the game for the entire 48 minutes before falling.
He has that killer mentality, not afraid to take and make the big shot. Clippers need that spark off the bench. Many have stated that Utah Jazz will surprise people in the first round, while that looks to be true, Clippers are a bad match-up for the Jazz. Clippers have dominated the Jazz for the last few years. They show no signs of slowing down, and the only way this series goes far is if the Clippers do not score a ton of points. This is possible with Utah’s top-tier defense, but can they do that four out of seven games in a row? Seems unlikely, Clips are hot right now and catching fire at the best time, clicking on all cylinders!
Clippers will win the series 4-2 with Austin Rivers being a huge X-factor off the bench in the later games. Clippers stay rolling!
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