NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break
77. . 37-18. Previous: 5th. Los Angeles Clippers. 6. team
LA Clippers:
Offense: (112.3) 6th
Defense: (106.7) 6th
Net: (plus +5.6) 6th
Results Week 17: (0-2) Lost vs. 76ers: 103-110, Celtics: 133-141 (OTx2)
Games Week 18: (1 game) Sat vs Kings
Paul George is out again and his ongoing injuries this year must be worrying Doc Rivers. Then again, Kawhi Leonard reminded everyone during the All-Star Game why no one on the LA Clippers seems remotely worried.
He’s simply that great on both sides of the hardwood. Perhaps no player better demonstrates how different the regular and postseason are.
Clearly, the relationship Leonard had with Kobe Bryant was part of the driving factor in his MVP performance. But the other very obvious factor was in a game that took on a much more competitive tone in that fourth quarter than perhaps ever – it’s precisely the type of game Leonard raises his production for.
In terms of the stretch run, the Clippers may have the easiest remaining schedule. Including the Lakers game that needs to be rescheduled, they have 27 games left to play. Of those games, 12 are on the road, 14 are against seeded teams (two of those are against the Nets who are sub .500).
Then again, the games the Clippers tend to blow are ones against teams they should beat – so we’ll need to keep our eye on that factor.