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LA Clippers: The Perfect Playoff Scenario in 2019

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Sindarius Thornwell #0, Jerome Robinson #10, and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers react to a play during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Sindarius Thornwell #0, Jerome Robinson #10, and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers react to a play during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Staples Center on April 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Staples Center on April 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Trail Blazers Have to Win

To get the Portland Trail Blazers up to the three seed, they need to go 3-1 over their next four. That’s a tall task, as they have two games in a row against Denver. Their remaining schedule:

  • Friday, April 5 – @ Denver Nuggets
  • Sunday, April 7 – vs. Denver Nuggets
  • Tuesday, April 9 – vs. Los Angeles Lakers
  • Wednesday, April 10 – vs. Sacramento Kings

Okay, so it’s not that bad. They just need to steal one of the Denver match-ups and then take care of business against two non-playoff teams. Doing so puts them at 53-29. Does that overtake the Rockets for the three seed? Maybe.

Houston’s Remaining Three

53 wins for the Trail Blazers could be enough for third. Remember I said we need OKC to beat Houston? That’s a very key game. If the Rockets go 2-1 in their last three, they would also finish at 53-29. Portland has the tiebreaker, winning the season series 2-1. Another Rockets loss would obviously be great and would give Portland a little more leeway, but it’s not likely.

  • Friday, April 5 – vs. New York Knicks
  • Sunday, April 7 – vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Tuesday, April 9 – @ Oklahoma City Thunder

See what I mean? That OKC game is really the only shot on paper we have at Houston dropping a game. Yes, both the Blazers and Rockets could win all of their remaining games which would get us the same result, but it is difficult to see it playing out that way.

Finally, let’s take a look at the other two teams who could affect our standings, but likely won’t matter too much in the grand scheme of this.

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