Jordan Miller has helped the Los Angeles Clippers turn their season around by making the most of his opportunities.
The Los Angeles Clippers won their fifth straight game on Friday, taking down the Toronto Raptors in overtime, 121-117.
James Harden led the Clippers with 31 points, but it was Jordan Miller who once again had his fingerprints all over the game.
Miller finished with a career high six assists and four steals to go along with 19 points and two rebounds off the bench.
"I'm getting a lot more trust from everybody, coaching staff included. It makes sense. When you're someone who hasn't played a lot, you kind of have to earn that trust," said Miller, who played a game-high and career-high 45 minutes in the contest.
He continued, "I feel like I'm starting to get that trust from them. It's a good feeling. Just trying to keep it going and keep it rolling."
Staying Ready
Miller played in just four of the first 25 games for the Clippers, averaging 13 minutes per game. He showed some flashes in those contests, averaging 8.3 points on 47% shooting.
In game 26, with the Clippers sitting at 6-20 and injuries to Bradley Beal, Nic Batum, Derrick Jones Jr, and Chris Paul being dismissed from the team, Miller was given his chance.
He played 21 minutes, scoring 10 points.
He was inconsistently used over the next nine games, averaging just ten points, but has become a staple in the rotation since playing 22 minutes against the Warriors on January 5th.
In the seven games since Miller has been a consistent rotation piece, the Clippers are 6-1.
Miller is averaging 28.4 minutes per game and contributing with 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals.
"That's what I work for. Even games where I wasn't playing, I'm in the gym and working, ready for any opportunity that I can get," he said.
The Impact of Jordan Miller
The Clipper season has done a 180 over the last month.
After a 122-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 18, they fell to 6-21. Since then, they are 12-2 and now sit in the final play-in spot in the West.
Miller isn't the sole reason for the recent run, but the Clippers are better with him on the court than they are with him off.
The Clippers have a +3.9 efficiency rating with Miller on the floor compared to when he sits. In 122 minutes with Kawhi Leonard next to Miller, the Clippers have a 116.6 offensive rating and 101.6 defensive rating.
As he's gotten opportunities, he's proven to be an impact player for the Clippers.