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LA Clippers: 1 Advantage Over Each Potential 1st Round Team

By Seth Kimbrell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: The LA Clippers huddle ahead of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 01, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: The LA Clippers huddle ahead of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 01, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

LA Clippers Advantage Vs. the Golden State Warriors: The Lack of Wing Defense

Remember, in the Spurs part of this piece, when I said that I wasn’t worried about anybody on their roster going off for seven games against the LA Clippers? Well, the Golden State Warriors are the exact opposite; I fear Steph Curry in the playoffs against the Clippers more than I fear anybody else.

Against the Warriors, Coach Lue will certainly need to look for any advantage he can get, and I think he’ll find it on the wing. Without Klay Thompson, the Warriors just don’t have wings who can defend our superstars.

Per NBA stats, the player Andrew Wiggins has guarded the most this season is Kawhi Leonard. Maple Jordan has guarded the Klaw for 18 minutes this season; Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points in those 18 minutes, and the LA Clippers scored 107 points in those 18 minutes.

I had to double check that to make sure my eyes were working. The LA Clippers score right at 6 points every minute that Wiggins guards Kawhi Leonard. That’s clearly not working, but what are the options for the Warriors? If Wiggins isn’t guarding Kawhi, he’s likely guarding Paul George. Not exactly the place to hide him.

Speaking of PG, he’s been matched up against Kelly Oubre when the LA Clippers face the Warriors. While he hasn’t shot the ball well at all against Oubre (1 for 14), he’s got 11 assists when guarded by Oubre and the Clips have scored 86 points in 16 and a half minutes when Oubre is on PG.

Next. Rajon Rondo is Proving Doubters Wrong So Far. dark

Coach Lue is going to have to make sure that he finds a way to counteract what will certainly be a great performance by Steph Curry if the LA Clippers and Warriors match up in the first round. He’ll likely keep attacking their subpar wing defenders with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and that should be enough of an advantage for the Clips.

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