Three teams the Clippers should avoid in the playoffs

The Los Angeles Clippers have clinched a spot in the 2015 NBA playoffs, looking to live up to preseason expectations set by the media, analysts, and most importantly, themselves. The Western Conference is loaded with talent from the one seed down to the nine seed. I wanted to see how the Clippers will match-up against all playoff contending teams.

At this point in the NBA season, besides the Clippers, the Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies, Blazers, Spurs, and Mavs have all locked up a position. The Pelicans and Thunder are fighting for the eight seed. So, out of the eight teams mentioned above, I will look at three teams the Clippers do NOT want to face come playoff time. Let’s take a look:

Golden State Warriors

There has not been a better basketball team in the NBA all year, and that alone should worry the Clippers. The Warriors are top three offensively and the best team defensively. Yikes.

The Clippers finished 1-3 against their Pacific Division foes on the year. Led by Steph Curry, the ‘Splash Brothers’ are the best back court in the league. The Clippers would have an advantage in the front court, but Andrew Bogut has been playing his best ball as of late. The Warriors are legitimate eight-nine men deep and would crush the Clippers lackluster second unit. And after a hard fought seven game series last year, won by the Clippers, the Warriors will be seeking out revenge.

Also, the Warriors will have home court advantage throughout, and nobody wants to play in Oracle Arena.

Oh, and Steve Kerr is the Coach of the year front-runner.

San Antonio Spurs

Have we not learned anything over the past few years? I can’t see any team wanting to face the Spurs in the playoffs. The Spurs are not only clicking at the right time, but they are finally healthy for the first time all season.

Kawhi Leonard has been a star in the latter half of the season and the big three are still kicking. Gregg Popovich is still there and his stern interviews should be enough of a scare. The Spurs are the Spurs and will continue to pose a huge threat in the playoffs. Never, ever, count out the San Antonio Spurs, especially when they own the second best defense efficiency.

And yeah, the Clippers finished 1-2 against the Spurs this season.

Memphis Grizzlies

I was torn over whether or not the Rockets or Grizzlies would be a tougher matchup, but with Houston’s injury issues, I will go with the Grizzlies.

The grit-n-grind Grizzlies pose a challenge because of their frontcourt: Marc Gasol, All-star, and Zach Randolph, an All-Star snub, anchor down one of the best defenses in the NBA. Adding Jeff Green at the trade deadline was huge for them. Green gives the Grizzlies options to go either small or big and is able to guard bigger wings. Mike Conley and Tony Allen are as underrated as they come and Kosta Koufos has had a good enough year to earn him a bigger deal this coming off-season.

I don’t see the Clippers wanting to visit Memphis, especially after going 1-2 against them this season (they have one matchup remaining on April 11th). The Grizzlies are as tough as a team can be and the Clippers have publicly been called soft. I don’t know if they can survive a seven game series against the grit-n-grinders.

***

Now, the Clippers are as talented as anyone and on any given night can beat anyone in the NBA. Again, the teams mentioned above are teams I believe will cause the most problems. The Clippers are as hot as anyone in the league, winning 11 of their last 12 games. Hopefully, the great play will carry over into the playoffs. Despite the roller coaster and injury plagued season, the Clippers have a legitimate shot at winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Remember: this is the NBA – where amazing happens.