The Los Angeles Clippers had a tough first-round matchup this postseason.
They went seven games with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Kawhi comes through in another Game 7 to lead the Clippers over the Mavs ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ALbKamuJgR
— ESPN (@espn) June 6, 2021
However, they prevailed with a big Game 7 victory.
Their next opponent is the number-one seeded Utah Jazz.
The Jazz come in with a great defense and lights out three-point shooting.
In terms of veterans and pedigree, the Clippers have the advantage.
On the other hand, the Jazz have been playing fantastic basketball as of late.
After losing Game 1 to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, they proceeded to win four straight.
This Jazz team is a serious contender for the title this year.
The Clippers must get great performances from their two stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
That is almost a forgone conclusion.
They will also need contributions from their role players.
There are two role players on the Clippers who must step in this tough series.
2. Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris has become the big man on the Clippers thus far in the playoffs.
This is due to the benching of their usual starting center, Ivica Zubac.
Morris has stepped up for the team, including a Game 7 masterpiece as he hit seven threes.
With this triple, Marcus Morris Sr. joins Steph Curry as the only players in GAME 7 HISTORY to hit 7 threes! #NBAPlayoffs #ThatsGame
WIN or GO HOME GAME 7 on ABC pic.twitter.com/Dzfwy8cnTo
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2021
He is going to try to keep up the hot shooting against a Jazz defense that allowed the fewest threes in the league this season.
Furthermore, he is going to be in charge of guarding Jazz big man, Rudy Gobert.
His job will be to stretch him as far away from the paint as possible.
Morris is going to be relied upon to hit threes, but also expand the driving lane for George and Leonard.
There is also the rebounding side for Morris.
Gobert is a very tall man and Morris is going to have to try his best to battle on the glass.
Boxing out is one of the biggest contributions the Clippers will need in this series.
Morris is going to play a huge role for the Clippers this round.
1. Reggie Jackson
Now that Patrick Beverley has been demoted to the bench, Reggie Jackson has stepped up to handle the starting point guard role.
For most of their first-round series, Jackson was actually very good.
Reggie Jackson since Game 2:
17.7 PPG
3.7 3PG
41.5 3P%He was the X factor. pic.twitter.com/n5QjyoIzFT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 6, 2021
Jackson has been inconsistent over his career, especially in the scoring efficiency department.
However, he has played great for the Clippers.
The Jazz have some talented guards in Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson.
Conley is more of a facilitator, whereas Clarkson is a lethal scorer.
Jackson is going to have to guard both of them at points in the game.
Also, Jackson needs to keep his offensive momentum going for this series as well.
Clarkson is going to light it up, and so is Donovan Mitchell.
George is going to need another guard to score and help on the defensive end.
Yes, Rajon Rondo can help, but only in spurts.
Luke Kennard is finally receiving playing time, but he has not proven himself just yet.
Jackson is the key guard, outside of George, that must produce for the Clippers to have a chance against the Jazz.
NEXT: 3 Changes Clippers Must Make If They Lose Game 6
