LA Clippers: What DeAndre Jordan can do against the Utah Jazz

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April 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks to score a basket against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Rebounding

Rebounding has been a point of emphasis the entire season, and it will be stressed against the Jazz. Naturally, the Clippers win more games when they grab more boards. A lot of that starts and ends with DeAndre.

We saw against Sacramento on Wednesday how much of a difference rebounding can make. Of the 17 rebounds he had, 7 off them were offensive, and a few of those led to putback jams. Production like that against the Jazz will only help us win games.

Competing against someone with the inside presence of Gobert will make it harder for DeAndre under the basket. But, in the Clippers/Jazz season series DJ out rebounded his opponent 12.8 per game to 11.8 per game.

Pace

Pace is another thing that has been stressed by coach Doc Rivers. It’s pretty clear that the Clippers are a better team when playing fast. A lot of those transition plays begin directly from a defensive rebound or a stop.

Playing fast will be key, especially with how the game tends to “slow down” in the post season. Against a defensive minded team like Utah, it’s best to have them defending on the run rather then giving them the opportunity to dig in in a slow, half court possession.

DeAndre, being the athletic super human that he is, feasts on the offensive end when the Clippers play fast paced. We send the end result: lobjams and emasculated opponents. Not only is a fast pace the easiest way to get buckets, but it’s a central part of the Clippers identity and has been for years. It’s what DJ and the Clippers know best…Lob City.

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