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Starters, Backups Know They’ll Need Each Other

Rowan Kavner

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – It’s all about finding consistency right now for the Clippers’ second unit.

The reserves showed what they were capable of by turning a 14-point lead into a 20-point lead in the second quarter before the starters returned, but they also watched a 26-point advantage get down to 14 in the fourth quarter, forcing the starters back on the court.

“We had to take the starters out, put them back in,” said Glen Davis. “As a second unit, we’ve got to take pride in making sure we can keep the lead or get the lead up. Those guys are great, but at the end of the day, they’re going to need us, and we’ve got to be prepared. The second unit is growing, and (Monday) was a hard lesson for us.”

It’d be tough for any second unit to lose the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Jamal Crawford’s a candidate again for the honor in the midst of another stellar season off the bench, but the backups have had to figure out how to play without him for the majority of the month.

As head coach Doc Rivers has said, the starting group is thriving and has excelled the majority of the season. The backups have had their ups and their downs, but everyone on the Clippers knows how important it’ll be to have the second unit playing at a high level.

“We have to police each other,” said DeAndre Jordan. “We all have to be better. They’re going to need us, we’re going to need them, so we’ve just got to police each other. It’s not Doc’s job – it’s our job to do that. We know what we’re supposed to do.���

Davis wasn’t happy the reserves didn’t play the way they should’ve late against the Celtics. While the last few minutes may have looked somewhat trivial, the end of the game meant something to the backups getting the opportunity on the court to find their rhythm. Davis expected more from the group, and he said the reserves understand their role in helping the Clippers as far as seeding and getting ready for the postseason goes.

When the playoffs arrive, the backups’ minutes may dwindle, but the starters know they’ll need some of their reserves to step up in key moments. Right now’s the time to find that momentum.