Clippers vs. Spurs: 6 Bench Players Who Will Be Key in Game 2

The San Antonio Spurs won Game 1 without a challenge, but with the Los Angeles Clippers wanting to steal Game 2, look for each team's bench to be the key.

The Clippers bench actually outscored the Spurs bench in the first contest, which is surprising since they were so productive during the year. That was one reason the Clippers limited Chris Paul's and Blake Griffin's playing time, especially during the fourth quarter. Eric Bledsoe and Nick Young provided scoring for the Clippers, while Manu Ginobili came up big for the Spurs.

Here are six bench players who should step up in Game 2.

Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Bledsoe

Even though Eric Bledsoe came up huge for the Clippers in Game 1, it was not enough to take down the San Antonio Spurs.

Bledsoe dropped a career-high 23 points in only 27 minutes of play off the bench. He also added three steals, four assists and five rebounds, while hitting 10-of-16 from the field.

The second-year player should continue to get solid playing time with Chris Paul still recovering from a hip flexor injury. Bledsoe showed he could be a scoring threat off the bench, so look for the Clippers to use him more.

San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili would be a starter on almost every team in the NBA, but Gregg Popovich uses the nine-year veteran to add a scoring spark and leadership to the San Antonio Spurs "bench team."

During the regular season, the Argentinian-born shooting guard averaged almost 13 points per game, with 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Considering Ginobili played only 23 minutes a game, those numbers numbers are all the more impressive. 

In Game 1, Ginobili was a dynamic force in 27 minutes of play. He had 22 points to go with three boards and three assists. Although he struggled to find his shot from behind the arc, he made a living at the foul line, hitting 7-of-8.

Look for Ginobili to continue producing, and even if he continues to struggle from three-point land, his ability to get to the line will prove valuable for the Spurs.

Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Young

The X-factor for the Clippers may be the play of Nick Young off the bench.

Young, who averaged almost 15 points per game in the regular season, has only scored 8.8 during the playoffs. He did turn in a productive Game 1 performance, though; in just 20 minutes of play, Young dropped in 13, shooting 3-of-3 from behind the arc.

Even though Young has played through a toothache, he continues to produce for Los Angeles. If the Clippers are to steal one on the road, Young must continue to play well.

San Antonio Spurs: Gary Neal

Although Gary Neal only scored five points in 12 minutes, he played value minutes while Tony Parker was on the bench.

Neal was a solid contributor off the bench for the Spurs this season, adding 10 points per game, two boards and two assists. His time has been cut during the postseason, but Neal has made the most of it by hitting 57 percent of his shots.

With Chris Paul and Eric Bledsoe at point guard for the Clippers, Neal will have double the duty trying to slow them down. Look for him to contribute more if he gets the playing time; in the last two regular-season games against the Clippers, Neal averaged 17.5 points per game. 

Los Angeles Clippers: Kenyon Martin

After taking his talents to China, Kenyon Martin is back in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. Although he only averaged about five points per game during the regular season, Martin stepped up his game in the last two matchups against Memphis.

In limited playing time, Martin shot 10-of-13 from the field, averaging 10.5 points and five boards. In Game 7, he grabbed 10 rebounds and had two blocks.

If the Clippers are to win Game 2, they will need more production from Martin. With Blake Griffin still recovering from an ankle injury, Martin may see more playing time. 

San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner

Even though Matt Bonner didn't score in his eight minutes of play, his presence adds a lot to the San Antonio Spurs offense.

At 6'10" Bonner is a matchup problem out on the three-point line. Given that Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are packed in the paint, Bonner and his three-point skills allow the Spurs to spread the floor. During the regular season, he shot 42 percent from behind the arc and grabbed almost 3.5 boards a game.

If Bonner can catch fire from outside, the Clippers are in trouble, especially with Tony Parker and his ability to get to the hoop.