Tushar Bahl (@PureSloth_)
Series MVP:
I will go with Blake Griffin. The forward has been in red-hot form of late and when he turns up, there is no stopping him. Griffin can carry his regular season run into the series against Utah. His three-point shooting has been remarkably on point in the last few games. His confidence is sky high and he can step it up a gear against Utah.
Los Angeles Clippers
X-Factor:
I agree with Blake here. I think J.J. Redick can prove to be key in the series against Utah. He has been one of the Clippers’ most consistent players this season. There aren’t many better than him from beyond the arc. Whenever J.J. scores big, the team wins, further proving his importance to the team.
Series Prediction:
I see Clippers winning it in 6. The LA Clippers are coming into the Playoffs full of confidence, and with so much to prove they will want to dispatch Utah as quickly as possible. Utah are a physically strong team and could pose some problems for LA. However the Clippers’ star power will prove to be too good for them in the end.
Match-Ups:
DeAndre Jordan versus Rudy Gobert will be an intriguing match-up. Two powerful centers who have enjoyed successful seasons and are neck and neck in almost all departments. It remains to be seen who comes out on top, but Jordan will be confident of out rebounding his Utah counterpart.