How the LA Clippers can benefit from their upcoming schedule
Having taken care of their recent 3-Game Homestand and winning five of the last six contests, the LA Clippers find themselves only 1-Game back in the loss column for the No.1 seed in the West.
After defeating the San Antonio Spurs last night in another thrilling game, the LA Clippers now sit at an impressive 9-5 record through 14 games.
Analysts and Media are now taking notice of this “superstar-less” squad that gives effort and energy on a nightly basis.
"Shaquille O’Neal – “The Clippers have no superstars so everybody gets to eat, baby!”Charles Barkley – “Tell you what, the Clippers have been one of the surprise teams early in the season”"
With their first national game of the season being played last night on TNT, Kenny Smith mentioned that when he spoke to Clippers Assistant Coach Sam Cassell in the off-season, Cassell predicted the Clippers to be at 10-5 after 15 games.
As of now they are one win away with a very winnable schedule coming ahead. The Clippers begin a 3-Game Road Trip starting tomorrow when they take on the Brooklyn Nets.
They then face Atlanta and Washington before returning home to face Memphis. 8 of the next 10 games will be played on the road but against teams they should be able to compete with or defeat.
After getting through a tough October-early November schedule, the Clippers have a chance to gain some ground in the Western Conference and possibly be slotted somewhere in the 2-4 seed.
Come April, we may look back at these upcoming games as the deciding factor in playoff seeding. The Clippers can realistically look at being anywhere from 15-10 to 18-6 after these next 10 games.
Luc Mbah A Moute and Avery Bradley should both be available to return sometime in the near future, as their defense off the bench and in key situations will be a major addition to this solid team.
The Clippers rank 5th in points per game (116.6), 3rd in 3-Point Shooting Percentage (38.5%), 2nd in Free Throw Percentage (82.5%), as well as 4th in Defensive Rebounds, 10th in Defensive Efficiency and 1st in Opponent Effective Field Goal Percentage.
Clippers Guard Lou Williams hopes the team keeps flying under the radar after being interviewed by TNT Sideline Reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude.
"“Let them keep talking about other teams and will keep winning quietly, that works just fine for us” – Clippers Guard Lou Williams"
Should the Clippers continue their hot play as of late, there is no telling the things they may be able to accomplish later on in this season.