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The L.A. Clippers have been riddled by injuries through the first couple of months that has put the team in an early-season rut.
However, it has opened up a prime opportunity for veteran guard Austin Rivers to take advantage of a prominent offensive role. It's something that the 25-year-old has voiced much confidence that he can do, according to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
A couple games ago, I asked #Clippers' @AustinRivers25 about where the confidence to take big shots comes from. His response, with a smile – 'You can't hit a home run unless you swing big.'
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 23, 2017
Rivers has been a major offensive bright spot for the Clippers with both All-Star forward Blake Griffin and veteran forward Danilo Gallinari out of the mix due to injury. He is currently averaging a career-high 16.2 points on 42 percent shooting from the field and a career-best 41 percent from beyond the arc.
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He has picked up his play in December averaging 20.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the field and 44.9 percent from beyond the arc in 10 games played. This includes scoring double figures in eight of the 10 contests with five recording more than 20 points and three with at least 30 points. In fact, Rivers became the first player to notch 35 or more points in consecutive games since Griffin after his career-high 38 points on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rivers have been particularly big late in games making huge shots. This has been the case in the last two contests as he made three 3-pointers in the last four minutes in the win over the Houston Rockets on Friday. He followed it up with a few key shots that nearly helped the Clippers mount a comeback against the Grizzlies.
This has only given the Clippers more confidence to lean on Rivers' offensive production over the next few weeks with both Griffin and Gallinari still on the mend from injuries.
