All Star Break: Clippers 40-19 Record Earns Them Top Spot in Western Conference
The Clippers really ramped up the pressure on the rest of the Western Conference following an average start, posting a 27-12 record after the first 20 games while also owning the best home record in the league at 20-8.
The team now ranks in the top five in both PPG and points allowed but PG dropped below 20 PPG while Kawhi’s number also dropped a bit as well, but Kawhi, PG, Lou, Harrell and surprisingly Patrick Beverley are all averaging double-figures in PPG so far. Shamet currently leads the team in APG with 5.1 while Harrell has an impressive 8.5 RPG.
Here are the new updated standings with the top eight Western Conference teams featured.
- LA Clippers : 40-19
- Houston : 39-18
- LA Lakers : 38-19
- Denver : 37-20
- Utah : 34-23
- OKC : 32-24
- Golden State: 32-25
- San Antonio : 32-27
Yes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder in the playoff picture. CP3 is carrying the load scoring and Gallinari only lost a minor step scoring the basketball as well. The team also added Trevor Ariza via trade with Sacramento.
Andre Roberson, who was sent to Sacramento, gives the Kings a much needed boost defensively, but with how things look so far, the player swap appears to be favoring OKC as they are competing in the thick of the Western Conference despite the departure of Russell Westbrook.
The only other trade that was made featured another player swap, seeing a guard and a big man swap conferences. Miami picked up Mason Plumlee while Denver received Dion Waiters.
Bam Adebayo is a great young player, but Miami needed a backup center. Plumlee fits the bill here but the Heat have to surrender Dion Waiters, opening the door for Jimmy Butler to move to the two or for Tyler Herro to fully take over that spot. The Nuggets get a proven scorer alongside Jokic and Murray and improve in the stacked Western Conference.
Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn is leading the way at 43-16 with Kyrie and Durant, remember no injuries. The Raptors are a far behind despite being second at 35-24 and a long jam between at the bottom which features below .500 teams fighting for the 6th seed is making the East look very much like its the Nets’ to lose.
Both Kawhi and PG were awarded All-Star nods with a surprised CP3, Victor Oladipo(not injured) and Rudy Gobert earning nods as well.
As for award races, here are the leaders at the break.
MVP – LeBron James : 25.1 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 9.2 APG
ROTY – Zion Williamson : 22.1 PPG / 11.3 RPG / 5.4 APG / 1.9 BPG
6MOTY – Dennis Schroder : 20.6 PPG / 3.7 RPG / 5.7 APG
DPOTY – Draymond Green : 2.1 SPG / 1.4 BPG
MIPOTY – Jamal Murray : 19.0 PPG / 6.1 APG / 3.9 RPG
COTY – Kenny Atkinson : 43-16 record / 1st in Eastern Conference
Let’s move up to April Fools Day, just before regular season’s end.