Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul's absence is highly significant, particularly now that the series with the Portland Trail Blazers is tied 2-2.
The Clippers have a .681 winning percentage in 348 games with Paul over the past five seasons. They are 25-21 (.543) without him, including 3-5 this season. Paul left Monday's game after breaking his right, shooting hand.
You could see Paul’s impact in the first quarter, when he went 6-of-7 from the field and his Clippers teammates were a combined 3-of-17.
The difference he makes was evident throughout the series. The Clippers outscored the Trail Blazers by 13.2 points per 100 possessions with Paul on the floor and were outscored by 10.4 points per 100 possessions when he was out.
Those mirrored the regular-season numbers. The Clippers were a net plus-553 with Paul on the floor but were outscored by 202 points when he was out of the game.
Paul’s passing made everyone on his team better. The Clippers shot 63 percent off Paul passes this postseason, highest among any player with at least 30 assist opportunities. Blake Griffin was 7-of-11 off Paul passes this postseason and 13-of-42 on all his other shots.
Griffin, if healthy, will be expected to do big things in Game 5. In last year's playoffs, he had two huge games with Paul out: a 26-point, 14-rebound, 13-assist effort in a win and 34 points and 15 rebounds in a loss.
Jamal Crawford has also risen to the challenge when Paul has been out. He has averaged 23.9 points in seven games without Paul this season.
Paul's absence will also be a challenge for the Clippers on the defensive end.
Damian Lillard is averaging 20.5 points this postseason, nearly five points lower than his regular season average (25.1). He has taken 38 of his shots with Paul as his primary defender, shooting 42 percent.
The Clippers will now need better focus against Mason Plumlee as a playmaker. He has had 48 assist opportunities this postseason, 29 of which have led to open looks for his teammates.
