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LA Clippers: Is winning a home court spot crucial in 2021?

By Jordan German

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Limited capacity fans attend the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game at Staples Center on April 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. It has been over a year since fans have gathered at the Staples Center due to the coronavirus pandemic. 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: Limited capacity fans attend the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game at Staples Center on April 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. It has been over a year since fans have gathered at the Staples Center due to the coronavirus pandemic. 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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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) /

LA Clippers on the road in the postseason

On the road, the LA Clippers have historically done much worse in the first round. Since ’92, they have had 5 road starts, and they have a record of 1-4 in those starts. In the last decade, however, the team has only had two road starts, and they also split even at 1-1 on those. Looking at only the last decade, the Clippers actually had a better record on the road at 1-1 than they did at home, which turns to 2-3 without that 2006 victory over Denver. Still, despite these intensely close numbers in the first round, the real answer lies in their 2nd round performances.

The main statistic the Clippers have to worry about is the 0-3 record they have in Game 7 of the 2nd round. 2006, 2015, and 2020 all saw the Clippers one game away from their first 3rd round berth, and all of those ended with the team going home earlier than expected. 2 out of those 3 Game 7 matchups were lost on the road, the lone exception being 2020’s loss, which was still really a road game due to it being played in Florida.

So, if there were any reason to root hard for a 4th place or higher finish for the LA Clippers, it would be so that they technically have one less loss at home in Game 7 than they do on the road. Finally, a statistic that gives us our answer.

No matter what place the LA Clippers finish in, the 2021 NBA Playoffs are going to be a real challenge for another banged-up Clippers’ team. Still, they have made it far enough yet again to clinch a playoff berth, so the opportunity for the team to break that long-awaited second round curse rears its head once more.

That final regular season question of how crucial the seeding is remains largely up in the air, but despite the very close home records in a span of 29 years and 5 playoff appearances, the LA Clippers have historically been much worse on the road in Game 7 of the WCSF than they have been in their one pseudo home appearance in 2020. So, the answer to that final question is a yes.

Next. LA Clippers will win a likely first round Lakers matchup. dark

If the LA Clippers can finally play a Game 7 at Staples Center, they might just finally squeak into the Western Conference Finals. Home court is crucial for the success of the LA Clippers, and here’s to hoping that the team can finally find their way to a happy ending in Game 7 at Staples Center in 2021.

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