The LA Clippers fell to the worst possible start in their playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, they lost their first two games at home. The Clippers failed to shut down Luka Doncic and the rest of the team came to the party to help in both wins.
However, the Clippers then accepted the challenge and traveled to Dallas to take the third game on the Mavericks’ home floor. They are riding on the back of their two stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to get them through this first-round matchup. They tried to avoid this with the moves they made in the offseason.
The Clippers tried to get better so that they could make a deeper playoff run. As part of a 3-team deal, the Clippers sent out Rodney McGruder, Reggie Perry, and Landry Shamet. In return, they received Jay Scrubb, Luke Kennard, Justin Patton, and four future second-round draft picks.
The LA Clippers lost a key piece but replaced it soon after
The key piece that they lost was Montrezl Harrell. What would have hurt the Clippers the most is they lost him across the hall as he went to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Clippers replaced him with Serge Ibaka who has a much greater range on offense and is a very good rim protector on top of his individual brilliance on defense.
The Clippers also traded Lou Williams to the Atlanta Hawks just prior to the deadline. They got Rajon Rondo in return who they are hoping will help them to the same glory he helped the Lakers to last season. The last major piece the Clippers added to help them go deeper in the playoffs was DeMarcus Cousins who they claimed off waivers.