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NBA Power Rankings Week 3: Are the Golden State Warriors back?

By Corey Rausch

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

team. 77. . 6-4. Previous: 8th. Los Angeles Clippers. 8

Last Week: Beat Phoenix Suns 112-107, Lost to San Antonio Spurs 116-113, Beat Golden State Warriors 108-101, Lost to Golden State Warriors 115-105

This Week: 1/10 vs. Chicago Bulls, 1/13 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 1/15 at Sacramento Kings

The LA Clippers stay confusing. The wins are good and they look like they can be one of the real contenders. Taking a game off the Phoenix Suns thus far has been no small feat and they were able to beat the Golden State Warriors in the first game of their two-game series.

The losses are equally frustrating. The San Antonio Spurs have been fun and feisty but they were on a four-game losing streak and beat the Clippers at home. Paul George missed that game so an excuse could be made there.

There is no such excuse for the huge blown lead in the second half against the Golden State Warriors in the second of their two-game mini-series. The Clippers had their full roster intact and let a lead as high as 22 slip away in the end, much like they did in the second round of the playoffs last season.

If the Clippers had fully blown the 31-point lead against the Suns, this would be even worse. Instead, they hung on and got away with a win which put the drama on hold for a couple of days. Nicolas Batum has been significantly better this season which has been a band-aid in some scenarios when the top two players are less than. The LA Clippers are likely fine and we will not know much about them until the playoffs. For now, they just leave the league scratching their heads.