The Los Angeles Clippers host the Dallas Mavericks to open the Western Conference first round. The Clippers went 2-1 against the Mavericks during the regular season. Los Angeles is 30-22
Which team has the best player, to this day, still marks a proverbial rule of thumb among NBA personnel in determining which team will win a playoff series. And yet, front offices and coaching staffs consider every seventh and eighth man, every potential bench unit, in order to defeat whichever foe they see in each round of the postseason. For that, here are seven under-the-radar difference-makers for seven championship hopefuls in these playoffs.