The Los Angeles Clippers’ road ahead as they approach the playoffs

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 10: A generic basketball photo of the LA Clippers shorts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 10: A generic basketball photo of the LA Clippers shorts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 30: Los Angeles Clippers Center DeAndre Jordan (6) boxes out Portland Trail Blazers Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) for a rebound during an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 30: Los Angeles Clippers Center DeAndre Jordan (6) boxes out Portland Trail Blazers Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) for a rebound during an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Other Western Conference Playoff teams

The Los Angeles Clippers also face several teams who are right above them in the playoff hunt. With the West as tight as it is, any win or loss could knock you from a top-5 seed to out of the playoffs. For a frame of reference, the Clippers only trail the 3rd place San Antonio Spurs, who they meet on April 3rd, by 3.5 games.

Games against Western Conference possible playoff teams, excluding the Rockets and Warriors:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 27 – @ Denver Nuggets
  • Tuesday, Mar. 6 – vs. New Orleans Pelicans
  • Friday, Mar. 16 – @ Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Sunday, Mar. 18 – vs. Portland Trailblazers
  • Tuesday, Mar. 20 – @ Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Friday, Mar. 30 – @ Portland Trailblazers
  • Tuesday, Apr. 3 – vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • Thursday, Apr. 5 – @ Utah Jazz
  • Saturday, Apr. 7 – vs. Denver Nuggets
  • Monday, Apr. 9 – vs New Orleans Pelicans

If you weren’t counting along, that’s 10 games against teams who currently sit 3rd through 10th in the conference. There’s going to be a lot of disappointment for a couple of teams as they all battle for that last playoff spot.