Getting Hot
We already took at look at the Clippers consistent winning this season, putting up nearly identical records in each of the season’s three completed 20-game “quarters” so far. Just before the break in action the Clippers had rattled off seven wins in eight games, with a post All-Star break record of 7-2.
Their only losses came at the hands of the Western Conference leading Lakers on March 8 (in a game head coach Doc Rivers referred to as a “horrendous performance” and their “D-game”) and to the Sacramento Kings in their first game after the All-Star break (a game they played without Paul George and Patrick Beverley).
In the nine games since the All-Star break the team is scoring more (up to 117.8 points per game from their pre-break average of 115.9) and allowing their opponents to score less (down to 105.8 points per game from 110.3).
Their schedule in this stretch wasn’t a breeze, either. The Clippers played playoff-bound opponents Denver, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Houston, and the Lakers during their run as well as picking up wins on the road in Phoenix and Golden State. Their six-game winning streak during this stretch was one-game shy of their season-high mark of seven wins in a row, which they accomplished November 16 through 27.
All signs pointed to the Clippers turning it on when it started to matter most, and amping up their play for the final games of the season going into the playoffs. The on-court results were just part of the puzzle that pointed towards things starting to really jump off for the Clippers.