Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ gutsy Game 5 victory

Doc Rivers cuts the bench short

For the duration of this series, Doc Rivers and the LA Clippers have typically played a 10 or 11-man rotation, including playing his full 13-man roster in the opener and in Game 3. That’s been one of LA’s best assets all season long — their depth — but it’s always been clear that the top half of the bench is worlds better than the bottom. And that isn’t a cut on those players, either. The top half of LA’s bench would also be the top half of any other team’s bench, too. They’re the best in the business.

But since moving JaMychal Green into the starting lineup, the bench unit his shortened up significantly. Ivica Zubac is no longer playing in the series, and in Game 5, Wilson Chandler sat with him. On top of that, LA’s eighth and ninth men — Garrett Temple and Jerome Robinson — played a combined 15 minutes on Wednesday night.

Part of that was likely because the starters were playing so well — they scored 70 of LA’s 129 points — but the best way to win a series is by playing your best players, and the Clippers’ coaching staff made sure their best got the most minutes last night.

The only exception was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who played a series-low 19 minutes in LA’s win. He didn’t get a lot of shot attempts up in those minutes, but he was productive.

Depending on who gets going in Game 6, this might end up being something the Clippers stick with as the series comes to a close. But for now, we’ll just have to wait and see.

The LA Clippers will take on the Golden State Warriors once again on Friday night for Game 6. If you’re going, make sure you get loud and give them everything you can.