DeAndre Jordan/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

How Clippers guards Chris Paul and J.J. Redick do against Portland guards Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, as well as how the Clippers rebound against the better-rebounding Trail Blazers are two key components of the first-round playoff series between the teams.

However, Hack-a-DJ could also figure prominently. Portland coach Terry Stotts is not afraid to use the tactic, which is fouling poor free-throw shooting Clippers center DeAndre Jordan on purpose. Nor should he be, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before the teams tipped off for Game 1 on Sunday night at Staples Center.

“I mean, he should use it,” Rivers said. “There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s part of the rules still, never had a problem with guys doing it. We’ve been pretty successful when guys have done it. There have been a couple of times – like in San Antonio one game, probably two or three times where it actually affected us. But overall, it’s been pretty good for us.”