LA Clippers: Evaluating each possible scenario to the finals
First-round scenario:
There are two completely different scenarios for the LA Clippers. One is much more likely, though, but other possibilities could happen and need to be considered. Let’s start with the most likely scenario.
With one of the easiest schedules and the Clippers being a couple of games ahead of the rest of the competition, the most obvious scenario is they will get the third seed. This means, barring any major downfalls or exceeding expectations from the other teams, the Clippers will face the Dallas Mavericks.
Aside from getting one of the lottery teams in the playoffs through the play-in tournament, the Mavericks are the second-best team to match up within the first round.
Now, this series will most likely will not even be a series. After months without basketball, the teams should be well in shape and injury-free. With everyone healthy, there is no doubt that the Clippers could not handle the Mavericks in five or six games.
This would be the ideal and the preferable scenario for the Clippers, but it could all change if the Nuggets jump to the second seed. If that happens, then the first-round matchup gets quite interesting.
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As things stand now if the Clippers drop just to the third seed, then they are facing the Houston Rockets. Now, that is a series! You could say the Rockets have underachieved throughout the season, but they still both have James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Regardless of whether they under or overachieved, they could be the dark horse in the playoffs. Some people do believe the Rockets could make some noise in the playoffs and perhaps, reach the conference finals. Out of all the scenarios that could happen, this is the least preferable for the Clippers. This series has a chance to go seven games and an upset could happen.
The two other possibilities for a first-round matchup – Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder – are not very likely, but even if they happen, the Clippers will still come out on top. Let’s see what the matchups could be in the second round.