NBA Playoffs Round 1: Who would Clippers want to face?

If you could pick who the Los Angeles Clippers play in the first round of the playoffs, who would it be? We analyze the five likeliest opponents and who we’d prefer to face in a seven-game series.

With the NBA trade deadline all but confirming the make-up of each roster for the 30-game run towards the playoffs, let’s assume that the top four in the Western Conference is set as the Golden State Warriors (1), San Antonio Spurs (2), Oklahoma City Thunder (3) and Los Angeles Clippers (4). There were no real major roster moves in the West, except for Jeff Green for Lance Stephenson (which is deemed major by the need for someone to start at the stretch-four with Blake Griffin still out).

For arguments sake, Randy Foye to the Thunder does not count as major move because he is unlikely to start for OKC. Instead, he is there in a shooting role off the bench. I’m categorising major trades as ones in which a franchise player or even a starter for a team are moved to a new destination, something that could make a significant difference to team chemistry and success.

I also believe it’s a reasonable assumption that in the Western Conference it will be the teams five through nine (Memphis, Dallas, Portland, Houston and Utah) that will command each of the four other playoff spots, but for a freak injury.

So, with that in mind, Clippers fans, who would you most want to face in a seven-game series, 4th seed vs. 5th seed matchup?

Next: Dallas Mavericks