Clippers’ Playoff Scenarios and Potential Matchups: Analyzing the Breakdown
The NBA regular season is coming to a close, and the LA Clippers are gearing up for an intense final week. Currently sitting at fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 50-28, the Clippers have just four games remaining. Their schedule includes a home-and-home series with the Phoenix Suns, a prime-time home game against the Utah Jazz, and a season finale against the Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately, the Clippers will be without their star player, Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with right knee inflammation. While the team remains unconcerned about his overall status, they are not willing to rush him back. On the other hand, James Harden, who recently returned from injury, will play against the Suns. However, his status for future games remains uncertain.
Paul George, one of the key players for the Clippers, has expressed his hope that the team can clinch their playoff spot before their last game. He believes that he does not need to play in that game if their position is secure. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Clippers’ playoff scenarios and potential matchups.
Chances of being in the top three
After the All-Star break, it was projected that the Clippers would need at least 19 more wins to have a chance of being the No. 3-seeded team or better. However, it is now clear that they won’t be able to reach that mark. The most wins the Clippers can achieve this season is 54, which is equivalent to the current records of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
Even if both the Timberwolves and Nuggets lose their upcoming games, one of them will secure a win in their head-to-head matchup, mathematically eliminating the Clippers from the top seed. However, since the Clippers defeated the Nuggets in a previous game, they still have a chance to tie them in the standings. Unfortunately, they lost the tiebreaker to the Timberwolves, so they can’t catch up to them.
To become the No. 2-seeded team, the Clippers would need three things to happen: they would have to tie with the Nuggets and Thunder at 54-28, the Timberwolves would have to be No. 1, and the Clippers would win based on the Pacific Division tiebreaker. The chances of all these things happening are quite unrealistic.
Clippers likely missing Play-In Tournament
Since February 25, the Clippers have consistently held the fourth position in the Western Conference standings, with the exception of one night when they slipped to fifth place. The Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors are guaranteed spots in the Play-In Tournament, but they cannot surpass the Clippers in the standings.
The Suns and Pelicans have a chance to pass the Clippers if they win all their remaining games and the Clippers lose all theirs. In such a scenario, the Clippers would lose the Pacific Division title to the Suns based on their better division record. Additionally, the Pelicans have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Clippers, having won three out of four regular-season matchups between them.
The only way for the Clippers to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament is if they lose their last four games, the Dallas Mavericks win at least two of their last four games, and both the Suns and Pelicans win their remaining games. However, this outcome is highly unlikely.
Clippers clinching
To avoid the Play-In Tournament and clinch a playoff spot, the Clippers need to either win one game or have the Suns or Pelicans lose a game. Alternatively, if the Mavericks lose three of their last four games, the Clippers will also clinch. They have two opportunities to take care of business against the Suns in their upcoming home-and-home series.
If the Clippers manage to win the Pacific Division, it would be their third division title in franchise history. This achievement may not be their ultimate goal, but it is still a significant accomplishment. Moreover, winning the division would make them the fifth team in the last six NBA seasons to win the Pacific Division.
Who Clippers could play in the first round
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Clippers’ playoff position, they could potentially face any of the other nine teams still in contention in the Western Conference. One possible matchup is against the Suns, a team they have already defeated twice in January. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have been struggling recently, losing four out of their last 10 games.
Considering the current standings, it is likely that the Clippers will face the Mavericks in the first round. The Mavericks hold tiebreakers over both the Suns and Pelicans and have been performing well, winning 14 of their last 16 games. Led by Luka Dončić and supported by key players like Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks present a formidable challenge for the Clippers.
From a personnel standpoint, the Clippers would prefer to face the Mavericks over any other team with a realistic chance of meeting in the first round. However, it is worth noting that the Kings are also a potential opponent, although their chances of surpassing the Mavericks are slim.
As the regular season comes to a thrilling conclusion, all eyes will be on the Clippers as they navigate their remaining games and playoff scenarios. With their sights set on securing a playoff spot and making a deep postseason run, the Clippers will need to bring their A-game and overcome any challenges that come their way.