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Duke Blue Devils: NBA Playoffs Preview

By John Woodcock

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard JJ Redick (4) is hugged by guard Austin Rivers (25) after hitting the game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard JJ Redick (4) is hugged by guard Austin Rivers (25) after hitting the game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Los Angeles Clippers (Austin Rivers, J.J. Redick) vs Utah Jazz (Rodney Hood)

This is long been thought of as the best series of the first round. The Clippers are an aging heavyweight trying to make their prime mean something while the Jazz are the up-and-comers depending on defense to take them where experience cannot.

Redick has now officially made a career out of shooting the ball from the three point line. He’s been at it for more than ten years. He still shoots threes in the mid-forties and free throws in the high eighties. He is the big dump out option for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Considering the Jazz have Gordon Hayward, he might be the guy responsible for fighting fire with fire.

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Rivers continues to build his own game. He is part of the relief behind Chris Paul, but the team does not fight his combo guard mentality. His minutes are up to twenty-eight a game. His three point shooting looks more respectable this year at around 37%. He is even averaging double digit points per game at twelve. Even better, the more he plays in this series, the better things must be going for the Clippers.

The guy who will be trying to stop some of this is Hood. Hood has blossomed as a utility two man for the Jazz who can do whatever they need in the starting lineup. He has the size to be annoying for smaller two guards. He can help move the ball around in the offense. He also is a 37% three point shooter and averaging about thirteen points per game. This is new territory for Hood, so we will have to see how he responds to the playoff atmosphere.

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