Collison did, leaving Clippers Coach
Paul was back in the starting lineup Sunday night against the
"DC was the key," Rivers said. "He logged a lot of minutes. Some of the things that he was doing well for us he couldn't do anymore. He couldn't pressure the ball anymore.
"One of the reasons we wanted him is because he could pick the ball up and shorten the clock. Well, when you're playing 35 minutes, you're not going to be picking the ball up anymore, and he didn't. That'll be nice to see again if we can get back so that second unit can be an energy group now again for us."
As a starter during Paul's absence, Collison averaged 13.3 points per game, 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 32.6 minutes.
He shot 47.4% from the field, 43.1% from three-point range and 89.5% from the free-throw line.
The Clippers went 12-6.
"With DC, we were basically down to a single point guard team and DC was it," Rivers said. "We were using Jamal [Crawford] as the backup. We signed [
Perhaps even more impressive is that Collison has been playing most of this stretch without Paul with a strained left big toe.
Collison played in pain most nights.
"He has not mentioned it," Rivers said. "I think he's gotten better. It's not 100%. I know that."
Redick still out, Turkoglu back
Clippers starting shooting guard
But
Rivers said Turkoglu practiced Saturday but labored.
"He didn't look great," Rivers said. "He was still limping around."
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