2012 NBA Playoffs: Ranking The Best Individual Playoff Performance After Day Thirteen

The thirteen day of the 2012 Playoffs is already behind us. Unlike the majority of the days, this day offered us only one game, which didn't fail to excite all of us.
The Grizzlies save themselves on the road against the Clippers in another epic finish in the end. There were several players who marked this game day. Although there was only one match played, regardless of it it will be a top five list.

Who ranks on top? Without any further ado, let's start.


5. Chris Paul

After having a brilliant series in the postseason against the Grizzlies, Chris Paul had his first bad game against them. He failed to play up to his normal standards, despite producing in nearly all aspects of the court.
Chris' bad performance was one of the main reasons why his Clippers lost this close game. Nonetheless, he kept being aggressive, attacking the defense, distributing the rock well and so on. From a statistical point, he wasn't that bad.

Paul recorded 11 points, dished out seven dimes, grabbed five rebounds, recorded three steals, committed three turnovers, shot 4-9 from the field, 1-3 from the arc, 2-4 from the stripe in 35 minutes of action.


4. Eric Bledsoe

The Clippers lost Game Six of the 2012 postseason by just two points. Chris Paul, the team's starting point guard and All-Star, had his first weak game. That left huge sneakers to be filled in. Eric Bledsoe didn't do that bad.
He inspired the Clippers with his amazing performance, providing instant all-around production, hustle and speed off the bench. Bledsoe was a huge spark off the bench in solid playing time. He was excellent from statistical point.

Eric scored 14 points, dished out six assists, pulled down four rebounds, recorded a steal, committed only one turnover, shot 6-12 from the field, 2-3 from the line in 24 minutes.

This was his best performance of the series and was the biggest reason why his team was close in this game.


3. Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin, despite the loss he and his team had in this game, has to be applauded for the effort he gave in playing through a knee injury. It effected his performance, but performed good enough to be ranked on this list.
Blake still finished enough on superb efficiency, was decent enough of the glass, found the open teammates, was solid defensively and got to the line where he made his trips. The stats back that up.

Griffin scored 17 points, pulled down five rebounds, dished out six assists, recorded three steals, committed a turnover, shot 6-11 from the field, 5-6 from the stripe in 33 minutes of action. Statistically speaking, it's more than solid.

He'll have to fight through this problem if the Clippers want to go deep in the playoffs.


2. Marc Gasol

After breaking out in Game Six, Memphis' All-Star center Marc Gasol continued in same manner against the Clippers. Alongside Randolph, they were the biggest reason why their team forced another match of the series.
Marc picked up where he left. He scored quite well when ever he got the ball inside the post and he made his opponents to pay about it. He was active on the glass and defense as well.

Gasol scored 23 points, pulled down nine rebounds, dished out three assists, recorded a steal, one blocked shot, committed three turnovers, shot 9-16 from the field, 5-5 from the line in 40 minutes. Statistically speaking, it was a great effort.

For that, he has to be applauded when his contributions are taken in consideration.


1. Zach Randolph

Much like his teammate in the front court Marc, Zach Randolph broke through in Game Five and was huge in this one to lead Memphis to a tough win on the road.
Despite playing with an injury that's been bothering, he gave it all and was aggressive. He was excellent from the post, just as good on the glass and good on the defensive end as well. This was from a statistical point, his best performance of the series.

Randolph scored 18 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked three shots, committed two turnovers, recorded a steal, dished out an assist, shot 8-17 from the field, 0-1 from the arc, 2-6 from the stripe in 38 minutes of action.

He had much to show and he definitely did.

Darko Mihajlovski is a columnist at FootBasket. He also contributes to Hoops-Nation. You can read more about him at our Staff page.