A Clippers First Round Exit is Not as Unreasonable as One May Think

The LA Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, might be too highly regarded when it comes to the Western Conference title race. Vegas odds currently have them as the second most likely team to win the Conference, behind their rival Lakers. The Clips sit in 3rd in the West as of now, behind Phoenix and Utah, but choked away another lead, this time to the lowly Magic.

MAIN TAKEAWAY

A CLIPPERS FIRST ROUND-EXIT IS NOT AS UNREASONABLE AS ONE MAY THINK

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LA blew a 16-point lead without Paul George on Tuesday night at home to a Magic team that essentially traded away all of their key players at the NBA trade deadline. This is a very concerning look for a team that has title aspirations, even if it is on a back-to-back after beating the Bucks. It further shows their inconsistencies, lack of focus, and non-existent continuity.

If the NBA playoffs were to start today, LA would matchup with Portland. Portland recently got back their star guard CJ McCollum from injury, and have won six out of eight with him back in the lineup along with Jusuf Nurkic’s return and now the addition of Norman Powell. A backcourt of CJ and Damian Lillard is one that is dangerous and has proven they can make a playoff run, as they did when they made the Conference Finals during the most recent full regular season.

The Clips looked extremely vulnerable Tuesday night against a poor Orlando squad, and in a tougher Western Conference, a first-round exit is not a ridiculous thought. It is fair to consider teams like Utah, Denver, Portland, and the reigning champion Lakers as more threatening, considering the Clippers’ history of blowing leads (as they did once again vs. Orlando). Until LA can prove their choking habits are behind them, a fierce Western Conference could have them ousted earlier than people may realize.

INTERESTING FACTS

Clippers blew another double-digit lead on Thursday against Orlando (16 points)
Loss to Orlando on a back-to-back (after beating Milwaukee by 24) ended 6-game winning streak
Key rotation players including Paul George, Patrick Beverley, Serge Ibaka, and Rajon Rondo were all out vs. ORL

Odds vs. ORL: LAC -759 (Spread -11.5)
LAC Stock Price: $9.86 (via FANDEX)