NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks

How will the Clippers’ best lineup play together?

Did you know that George and Leonard only played 37 games together, a total of 951 minutes? That is one of the least by one of the top duos in the league. Did you also know these two plus Beverley only played 29 games, a total of 537 minutes? And more importantly, arguably their best starting five with at least 100 minutes played together played only 11 games.

Load management does have some downsides. The majority of the teams that are contenders have played a significant number of minutes and games together, while the two best players barely played half the season together.

However, despite playing less time together, they are still second in the West, have the second-best offense and a fifth-best defense. Now, imagine if they managed to play more at full-strength and how great they can truly be.

A lineup of Beverley, George, Morris, Leonard, and Ivica Zubac has a net rating of 22.9 in 147 minutes together, which is their second most used lineup this year. With at least 100 minutes played, this is the best net rating out of the top-five teams, with the Milwaukee Bucks just behind them with a rating of 18.9.

One thing is clear. When the LA Clippers are at full health and with their best starting five, they are the best team in the league. The question is whether they will stay fully healthy throughout the playoffs.