NBA standings based on opponent 4th quarter scoring: Clippers among worst in West
By Will Eudy
Every year in the NBA, we see various teams perform differently at varying points throughout a game. Some teams, like the Stephen Curry-era Golden State Warriors, have been known as consistently strong second half performers. For the LA Clippers this year, things have been a bit different.
Through the fist six weeks of the 2023-24 season, the Clippers generally rank as one of the most capable and consistent teams in many major statistical categories. But there is one category where they are falling behind in a major way: opponent fourth quarter scoring.
According to the numbers, LA has struggled mightily at stopping their competition from scoring in the final quarter of games.
NBA standings based on opponent 4th quarter scoring:
These standings were determined by simply averaging the scoring numbers for each team's opponents in the fourth quarter of play so far this season. Only two teams in the Western Conference have a worse average margin than the Clippers.
Western Conference:
1. Los Angeles Lakers - 24.5
2. Portland Trail Blazers - 25.0
3. Memphis Grizzlies - 25.8
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - 25.9
5. Denver Nuggets - 26.6
6. Utah Jazz - 26.7
7. Houston Rockets - 27.4
8. Sacramento Kings - 27.8
9. Phoenix Suns - 28.1
10. Dallas Mavericks - 28.1
11. Oklahoma City Thunder - 28.7
12. New Orleans Pelicans - 29.3
13. LA Clippers - 29.3
14. Golden State Warriors - 29.6
15. San Antonio Spurs - 30.8
Eastern Conference:
1. New York Knicks - 24.8
2. Brooklyn Nets - 26.7
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - 26.9
4. Philadelphia 76ers - 27.3
5. Toronto Raptors - 27.4
6. Boston Celtics - 27.5
7. Orlando Magic - 28.2
8. Milwaukee Bucks - 28.4
9. Chicago Bulls - 28.4
10. Miami Heat - 28.7
11. Atlanta Hawks - 29.0
12. Detroit Pistons - 30.2
13. Washington Wizards - 30.4
14. Indiana Pacers - 30.7
15. Charlotte Hornets - 31.0
Clearly, the Clippers have had a difficult time stopping their foes down the stretch of games this season. One of the first examples of this statistic that will come to many fans' minds is the home game against the Denver Nuggets from eight days ago, where LA lost their lead and gave up 36 points in the fourth.
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