LA Clippers: Five remaining must-win games before the playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots and scored a basket after getting fouled by Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of the game at Staples Center on March 27, 2021 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots and scored a basket after getting fouled by Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of the game at Staples Center on March 27, 2021 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LA Clippers Must-Win #2: April 16 at Philadelphia 76ers

The next must-win comes against a dominant Eastern Conference team in the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers look like a legitimate contender and prior to the move that added James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets were the favorite in the East.

The Friday night national television matchup will be heavily talked about as the Clippers once again face off against their former head coach. These two teams met just a few weeks ago in which the Clippers won 122-112 but the 76ers were notably without Joel Embiid.

Assuming both teams are healthy, we could potentially get an NBA Finals preview in this one. Can the Clippers’ big man combination of Serge Ibaka, Ivica Zubac, and DeMarcus Cousins limit Embiid enough? That will be interesting to see especially considering the Clippers will likely have to go through at least one elite big man to win the Finals.

LA Clippers Must-Win #3: April 28 at Phoenix Suns

The LA Clippers get the Phoenix Suns twice in April! Regardless of how tonight goes, I’m sure both teams will still have this game circled on their calendar as jostling for seeding becomes more and more prevalent.

The Clippers will only have 9 games left on the schedule at this point, so it will be important for them to make sure everything is working. We also can hope that by this time, everyone on the roster will be healthy and that we can see what a potential playoff series might play out like.