Summer regimen helps Redick’s game

J.J. Redick has become so efficient for the Clippers that every time he shoots, Chris Paul expects points to be added on the scoreboard.

“I get pretty mad at him when he misses because he’s not supposed to,” Paul said. “I think that shows the trust we have in him. He’s been lights out.”

Redick is averaging career highs this season in points (15.8), field-goal percentage (46.9%) and three-point percentage (42.7%).

Ever since his second season in the league, Redick’s stats have improved each season. He averaged 4.1 points a game in 2007-08, and each year has gradually increased that number through now, when he averages nearly four times that point total.

He said he owes his steady improvement to his off-season workout regimen. Over the summer, Redick spends six days a week in the gym practicing his shooting and analyzing how he can add to his arsenal on offense.

“I try to figure out if I can’t get to my strengths, what are teams forcing me to do, and how do I improve on those weaknesses,” Redick said. “Each year I kind of work on one or two things.”

Redick’s improved play has come at quite an opportune time for the Clippers, who are missing Jamal Crawford (right calf bruise) and recently had a 15-game stretch without Blake Griffin as he recovered from surgery to remove a staph infection from his right elbow.

In March, Redick has averaged 21.2 points a game on 48.3% shooting, including a 26-point performance in Friday’s 113-99 win over the Washington Wizards. In that game, Redick made four threepointers to give him 164 this season, a single-season franchise record for the Clippers.

Redick’s health has been a key factor in his recent success. He has missed only five games this season, compared with 47 last season.

“I didn’t even know that he was having a career year,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “I just know that he is being J.J. It’s just who he is. He has great confidence. He’s healthy.”

Crawford remains out

for his return.

Rivers was asked Friday evening whether there’s a chance Crawford might not return at all.

“There is a chance,” Rivers said. “I don’t know right now because he’s improved, but not enough, I’ll tell you that. He’s nowhere near, in my opinion, playing. We just have to hope he gets better.”

Crawford is the third-leading scorer on the Clippers, averaging 16.4 points and 2.5 rebounds a game. The Clippers have only 12 games remaining in the regular season and are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a record of 45-25.

Griffin making strides

The Clippers’ superstar power forward recently estimated that his strength was only at 60%. Since then, he said his progress has wavered.

“It felt really good [Friday] morning at shoot-around and not so great [Friday night],” Griffin said of his elbow. “I’m sure it will be up and down. It’s just one of those things.”

In the four games that Griffin has been back, he’s has had three double-doubles and a 22-point performance on Friday, helping the Clippers go 3-1.