In playoff basketball, one big toe can make a huge difference.
The subtraction of Blake Griffin — sidelined by an injured plantar plate in his right foot — has triggered a multiplier effect in the Clippers’ first-round playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz.
“We need two or three other guys to make up the Blake difference,” Coach Doc Rivers said
Which puts an onus on the Clippers’ bench.
The second unit is merely one reason the Clippers have fallen behind 3-2 in this best-of-seven series. On Tuesday night, in particular, there were too few rebounds, too few defensive stops.