Clippers-Blazers: 5 advantages L.A. has for NBA playoffs
By Tom West
The Los Angeles Clippers’ first round opponent for the 2015-16 NBA playoffs is the Portland Trail Blazers. As we breakdown the matchup, what specific advantages do the Clippers have that can help them win?
82 games later, the 2015-16 NBA regular season is over and each playoff matchup is set. The Golden State Warriors collected their remarkable, record-breaking 73rd win and have the joy of facing the struggling Houston Rockets in the first round. It’s probably the most one-sided series of the Western Conference’s first round, meanwhile the Los Angeles Clippers have the over-achieving Portland Trail Blazers to handle.
The Clippers should still be heavy favorites, though. There’s no doubt that they have more talent, and even with Blake Griffin adjusting to his return from over three missed months due to injury, they have a great deal of weapons to throw at this stripped back Blazers team.
After losing four starters last summer, including their perennial All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, they shouldn’t have been nearly this good. Yet, as Damian Lillard has fought on with 25.1 points per game to set an example, he and head coach Terry Stotts have led them to a 44-38 record.
Somehow, some way, the team’s fight and improved backcourt overcame the loss of four starters and has them in a playoff position they shouldn’t even be in. From most, 20 wins and a finish around the bottom of the conference was the expected outcome for 2016.
Nevertheless, they’re here now. It speaks volumes about how hard they’ve played just to be in this position before we even see their playoff performance.
Based on a simple eye test and the Clippers winning the regular season series 3-1 (by an average score of 99-95), it’s clear the Clips are favorites. To see exactly why that’s the case and how they can win this series, here are some specific advantages L.A. have.
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