Matt’s Monday Musings – OKC Thunder Shooting for Home Court and Fourth Seed

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have only nine games left against playoff teams. Needless to say this is a much nicer schedule than the Grizzlies. They are one and a half games ahead of Memphis two and a half games ahead of OKC. They have managed to do this even with long term injuries to both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, two star players.

With both these players back, the Clippers are looking to solidify their position for the playoffs. Looking deeper into the future, LA should win a lot more than they lose.

The Run Home

Down the stretch I do not see the Clippers having any dangerous stretches that will cost them to lose momentum. Of their final stretch, I can only see two real danger patches in the schedule.

The first of the back to back potential losses may surprise a few people. The Denver Nuggets are currently leading their series against the Clippers 2-1. The only game of the season that the Clippers won was the first one played between the two franchises this season.  This game is also the second night of a back-to-back.

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The second game of the potential back-to-back losses is against the Cleveland Cavaliers who will be building towards the playoffs and will be hard to top.

Another potential momentum stopper is two of the final three games of the season. For the Clippers to maintain their seeding or move up  they’ll need to win at least one of these games versus the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets. Then, if the Clippers make it out of the first round, one of these two teams will likely be their next assignment.

I can see the Clippers going 14-6 over the final games of the regular season. This will give them a 51-31 record which will maintain their current fifth seeding.