Clippers' Redick returns, Pierce rests vs. Blazers
Reinforcements are on the way for the Los Angeles Clippers following Thursday's dispiriting loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that J.J. Redick will return from a three-game absence for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Redick's absence threw the Clippers' wing rotation into whack, as Rivers shuffled through his bench, while searching in vain for something close to consistent production.
No one stepped up to the plate, however, as Redick's reliable defense and automatic jump-shooting proved invaluable. The 31-year-old is averaging 14.8 points per game, while shooting 52.8 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from deep, and 95.2 percent from the line.
The 37-year-old Paul Pierce, however, will sit out on the second night of a back-to-back. He played nearly 32 minutes during Thursday's game, and quite frankly, he's looked every bit like a 17-year veteran in what has been an extremely slow start to the season.
Pierce is averaging 5.6 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting from the field in 11 appearances.