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The LA Clippers can manage the current playoff bracket

By Seth Kimbrell

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Coach Tyronn Lue and Rajon Rondo #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers on the sideline during the second half of the game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on April 18, 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 - APRIL 18: Coach Tyronn Lue and Rajon Rondo #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers on the sideline during the second half of the game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on April 18, 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) /
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The LA Clippers lost a tough game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday that dropped us to the four seed. That’s a hard pill to swallow after watching the Clips go on a streak in the month of April, but it’s where we’re at.

The thing is, to me at least, it’s not the most upsetting thing in the world to have dropped from three to four. It has home court implications, of course, but even those are a bit mitigated with the current standings.

The LA Clippers might be happier in the four seed than in the three seed, given the current playoff bracket.

At the four seed, the Clippers will play the five seed and then (assuming a win) the winner of the one vs. eight seed, so presumably the one seed. Right now, the Dallas Mavericks are the five seed (they’re tied with the Lakers but own the tiebreaker), and the Utah Jazz are hanging on to the one seed by half a game.

If the Clips’ path to the conference finals goes through Dallas and Utah, I feel pretty good about that. Especially given the fact that Donovan Mitchell is still working his way back to on-court activities.

For a different viewpoint. The LA Clippers cannot afford to drop to fourth tonight. light

On the other hand, if the Clippers end up as the three seed, they’ll play the six seed then the winner of the two vs. seven seed. Right now, that would be the Los Angeles Lakers and then (barring an upset), the Phoenix Suns.

Look, it’s pretty likely that the Clippers will have to beat the Lakers at some point if they want to make it to the Finals. But avoiding a Battle of LA in the first round is preferable to me. Not enough to purposefully lose games in an effort to play the seeding game, but I’m not complaining about facing Dallas instead, if that’s what happens.

Of course, there’s plenty still up in the air. The race for the one seed is within half a game, and the five vs. six race is tied. Meanwhile, the Clippers only trail Denver for the three seed by half a game. Everything’s in flux.

Next. A healthy LA Clippers squad can beat anybody in the West. dark

But what’s important to me is that I’m not panicking if the current seeding stands. I don’t feel like the Clippers’ chances are significantly changed by being in the four seed, given the current playoff picture.

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