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LA Clippers: Best and worst-case playoff scenarios

By Evan Desai

Apr 20, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; LA Clippers guard Rajon Rondo (4) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little (9) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; LA Clippers guard Rajon Rondo (4) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little (9) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) goes up for a shot while defended by LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Paul George (13) in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) goes up for a shot while defended by LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Paul George (13) in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Clippers have won three of five games vs. the Lakers this year.

They’ve played better than the team across town. Sure, the Lakers have had to deal with very impactful injuries this season, but the Clippers have too.

The Clippers are 6.5 games better than the Lakers right now, but playing LeBron James in the playoffs is always one of the most daunting tasks in the NBA.

James has never lost in the first round of the NBA Postseason. He’s rather unstoppable in the playoffs, averaging 29.2 points per game, 9.4 boards per game, 7.3 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game in the postseason since his first NBA Finals-winning run in 2012.

Coming off of another Finals-winning run last year, it’s safe to say that nobody should feel comfortable going up against a force in James in the playoffs, especially when considering the great supporting cast he has around him. Anthony Davis played exceptionally well in the playoffs last season too, and always has.

There won’t be much of a home-court advantage in that series for the Clips, as they both play in Staples Center.

Besides, taking three of five against the Lakers was nice this year, but James only played in one of those games. The regular season isn’t as telling as it used to be in a league that saw many injuries this season as well as tons of load management.

Next. Clippers second in 'Future Power Rankings'. dark

That being said, the Clippers have to beat the best to be the best. The Lakers will always be a tough task as long as James is in the picture, but the Clips should also have the mentality that they can take on anyone.

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