Clippers face daunting task against Trail Blazers in Game 6 of playoffs

Embrace the daunting task that lies ahead, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers has told his undermanned team. Embrace the difficult road you’re on, Rivers has said to his injury-depleted team.

The Clippers really do have a mountain to climb in the first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers.

L.A. is down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, knowing a win brings the Clippers back home for a Game 7 on Sunday at Staples Center, but also knowing a loss Friday night in Game 6 in Portland ends their season.

The Clippers won the first two games in the series before they lost three consecutive games.

They have been a good road team, producing a 24-17 record in the regular season. But the Trail Blazers have been very good at the Moda Center, owning a 28-13 record.

And even more harrowing for the Clippers is that they will not have Chris Paul (broken right hand) or Blake Griffin (left quad tendon injury) to face a very confident Trail Blazers team.

“It’s daunting, as far as we know it’s a challenge,” Rivers said in a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon. “Listen. I tell my guys all the time, if you want to do something great, it should be hard. Embrace hard. Embrace the difficulties of it.

“Obviously, we didn’t plan on any of this happening. We planned on being up or whatever right now. But we’ve had a bump in the road. I tell them all the time about having great resolve. And I think our guys have had that. I think they showed that in spurts [Wednesday] night. But you can’t lose your will, and I think that’ll be the key for us.”

It appeared that the Clippers wore down some Wednesday night in Game 5 because of the heavy minutes their key players had to play because of the injuries.

Jamal Crawford’s shot seemed to be affected by his 44 minutes of action. He was six for 23 from the field, one for five from three-point range.

Austin Rivers played 37 minutes having to score and to defend Damian Lillard. Rivers was six for 13 from the field.

J.J. Redick played 34 minutes on a sore heel. He was seven of 17 from the field.

Luc Mbah a Moute started the first four games at forward, but he didn’t play in Game 5. Rivers said that may change in the next game.

Wesley Johnson played just 13 minutes. Rivers said Johnson might be called on more.

“We’re going to do what we have to do,” Rivers said. “But if they all have to get a break, they have to. What I have to do is just manage. If they’re handling the minutes, let them play the minutes. But if you feel like at any point they are just fatigued, take them out.”

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter: @BA_Turner