The Clippers demolished the Rockets Friday in Game 3 124-99. Chris Paul returned from his hamstring injury and despite shooting 5-of-12 from the field for just 12 points with seven assists, but his presence opened everything else up for the other Clippers and prevented the same mechanisms the Rockets used to contain Blake Griffin in Game 2 from being so effective.
J.J. Redick was a monster with 31 points, but the real story was...
1. A RIVERS RUNS THROUGH IT: Austin Rivers had 25 points in a playoff game in mid-May. Austin Rivers. Like, Doc's son, Austin Rivers, had 25 points in a playoff game in May, and was the key component in a 23-0 run that salted the game for the Clippers. Rivers shot 10-of-13 from the field, 3-of-6 from 3-point range, and was the spark for the Clippers to blow the game open with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on the bench.
Every year there are surprise players that make the leap in the playoffs. Otto Porter is doing something similar in the East, but hasn't had the amount of criticism that Rivers has (rightfully endured). In a big-game environment, with an opportunity to put his imprint on the game, Rivers stepped up and delivered.
2. THE ROPE HAS VANISHED: Houston was a quality defensive team for the vast majority of the regular season. Something happened in the Mavericks series, and their defensive aptitude has evaporated into string cheese. The Clippers shot 55 percent from the field and 49 percent from 3-point range in this game. The Rockets' offense isn't good enough to sustain without the advantage of a soft whistle.
In the three Rockets wins vs. the Clippers this season, James Harden has 45 free throw attempts. In the four Rockets losses this season, Harden has just 22 free throw attempts. That's not a coincidence.
If the Rockets are going to get this series back under control, they have to get back to playing solid defense in pick and roll situations, protecting the rim (50 points in the paint for LA in Game 3) and controlling the pace and flow of the game. Otherwise this series won't last long.
3. WHEN YOU CAN COOK, YOU MUST COOK: It's one thing to fall down 30 in a playoff game to a lower seed. It's another to lose to Austin Rivers. It's another thing to lose to Austin Rivers and have him steal your MVP runner-up's signature celebration.
Cold, Rivers. Cold.
