How Chris Paul’s aggressiveness sparked Clippers’ Game 2 victory against Jazz

Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, left, works around Utah Jazz’s George Hill during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS116
Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, right, gets a rebound against Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS106
Clippers forward Blake Griffin goes up for a shot over Utah Jazz guard George Hill, center Boris Diaw (No. 33) and forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin #32 goes up to dunk the ball over Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson #6 while LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan #6 look on in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin #32 goes up for a shot against Utah Jazz guard George Hill #3, Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw #33 and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors #15 in the first half of game 2 in the first round playoff game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan #6 dunks in the first half of a first round playoff game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers guard Raymond Felton #2 drives to the lane against Utah Jazz guard George Hill #3 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers guard Chris Paul #3 is called for a foul against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward #20 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford #11 has the ball taken away by Utah Jazz guard George Hill #3 and Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood #5 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce #34 tries to get a shot off against Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson #6 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce #34 drives to the hoop past Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey #24 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder looks at referee Monty McCutchen #13 in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, center, drives to the basket past Utah Jazz’s Boris Diaw, left, as Jazz guard George Hill watches during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS102
LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers contests a call in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
LA Clippers guard Raymond Felton #2 and LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers contest a call in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 4/18/2017 Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, center, dunks against the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS103
Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, right, blocks a shot by Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS104
Utah Jazz’s Boris Diaw, left, drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS105
Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors, left, shoots against Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS107
Utah Jazz’s Joe Johnson, right, is pressured by Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS109
Utah Jazz’s George Hill, left, drives to the basket past Los Angeles Clippers’ JJ Redick during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS108
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, right, high-fives Raymond Felton after making a basket during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS110
Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan dunks as Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors, bottom left, and George Hill watch during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS111
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin grabs a loose ball in front of Utah Jazz’s Rodney Hood, left, and Jeff Withey during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS112
Los Angeles Clippers’ Marreese Speights celebrates his 3-point basket against the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS113
Utah Jazz’s Joe Johnson, center, loses the ball as he is pressured by Los Angeles Clippers’ Raymond Felton, right, and Blake Griffin during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS114
Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, center, struggles with the ball as DeAndre Jordan, left, screens Utah Jazz’s Rodney Hood during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS115
Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles, left, shoots over Los Angeles Clippers’ Marreese Speights during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS118
Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward, top, looks to pass under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers’ Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, left, and Chris Paul during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS117
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers reacts to a play during the second half in Game 2 of the team’s NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS119
Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul gestures for possession of the ball during the second half in Game 2 of the team’s NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS120
Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward, center right, is defended by Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: LAS121
Clippers point guard Chris Paul argues against against a foul call during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Jamal Crawford #11 of the LA Clippers scores on a jump hook over Jeff Withey #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers dunks in front of Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks up at the clock during the first half against the LA Clippers in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Raymond Felton #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on George Hill #3 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz has his shot blocked by DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES — Whether he pulled up for a shot, set up a teammate or warded off his defender with his ball-handling skills, Clippers point guard Chris Paul had one thought racing through his mind.

“Just trying to be aggressive,” Paul said.

That thought process never stopped as the Clippers secured a 99-91 Game 2 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Staples Center and evened the best-of-7 series, 1-1.

Paul finished with 21 points and 10 assists, going 9 for 15 from the field, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range. Paul opened the first three minutes of the game sinking an 18-foot-jumper, a 27-foot 3-pointer, forcing a turnover and setting up DeAndre Jordan with a lob. Paul helped close the game making a 3-pointer and a fallaway jumper to give the Clippers a 94-86 lead with 4:19 left. In between, he provided a blend of scoring and playmaking that helped fuel Blake Griffin (24 points) and Jordan (18) to big nights while the Clippers scored 60 points in the paint.

“I was trying to just stay on the court to tell you the truth,” Paul said.

Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute also observed Paul was also trying to rectify the Clippers’ Game 1 loss on Saturday. Though Paul had 25 points and 11 assists on 10-of-19 shooting in the series opener, it wasn’t as steady blend. After doling out 10 assists in the first half, he only had one the rest of the night. Held to five points in the first half, he scored 20 after halftime.

“He came out tonight and was really aggressive. We need him to do that,” Mbah a Moute said. “Sometimes he gets caught up in trying to get everybody involved and gets guys going. But when he comes out and plays aggressive, that helps a lot.”

It also helped that Paul did not allow two first-quarter fouls to dial back his aggressiveness. Though he went scoreless in the second quarter as he sat on the bench for nearly seven minutes, Paul had 14 points and three assists in the second half (6 for 10 shooting).

“He was good through adversity, which I thought was really good,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “He got in foul trouble early, and we weathered that storm as a team. He had to weather the storm, sitting. Those uneven minutes for guys throw you off, and I thought it never threw him off. I thought he kept his rhythm, he kept his patience, he kept his peace.”

Paul did not keep his peace about one thing, though.

Afterward, Paul warned of a hostile environment for Game 3 on Friday in Utah, calling the Jazz’s passionate fan base “homers.” Somehow, Jazz fans on social media misconstrued that commentary as a slight instead of a compliment.

“That means they like their team. Why even try that, though?” Paul said to a reporter. “I’ve said that before, they’re homers, and I say when you go play there, you don’t really see opposing teams’ jerseys; know what I mean? They support their team, which is good; know what I mean? How can you take that in another way?”

The assembled reporters did not. Several Jazz fans did.

“When I go there, I don’t see like too many Clippers’ jerseys,” Paul clarified. “They really support their team, and it’s always been that. Yeah, you’re reaching if you’re thinking that’s something else. You’ve got to get a different hashtag. Come on, man.”

No one misconstrued Paul’s game, however.

“We always want Chris aggressive. He’s smart enough and good enough where he makes the right play,” Clippers forward Jamal Crawford said. “He doesn’t play with an agenda. He just plays and takes whatever is there. That’s what makes him one of the brilliant point guards that’s ever played.”

And that’s also what enabled the Clippers to avoid an 0-2 deficit against Utah.

“We moved the ball great, but all in all, I think our pace was pretty good all night,” Paul said. “Whether they scored, missed or what not, we just tried to keep the tempo and the pace up.”

How Chris Paul’s aggressiveness sparked Clippers’ Game 2 victory against Jazz

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