5 Reasons the Los Angeles Clippers Would Beat the Lakers in a 7-Game Series

If there are basketball gods out there, they will find a way to match up the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs. 

This, of course, isn't likely at this point. The Lakers are seeded third in the West, and the Clippers are seeded fourth. The only way the two teams would meet with their current seeds would be in the Western Conference Finals, and unless the Memphis Grizzlies can leapfrog both squads, they won't be meeting in the first round.

Regardless of the probability, it's one of the more interesting matchups to consider. The Lakers are still considered the top dog of the L.A. squads, and Kobe Bryant and company have beaten the Clippers in two of their three games so far this season. 

But how would these two teams fair in a seven-game matchup? Let's look at five reasons why the Clippers would beat the Lakers in a playoff series.

Young Legs

The Lakers have a distinct advantage in terms of experience. This is their greatest weapon against nearly any squad they could meet up with, but especially the Clippers, who only have two key rotation players (Chris Paul and Kenyon Martin) with serious playoff experience.

But one major advantage the Clippers have over the Lakers is youth. In this sped up NBA season, the Clippers still manage to look energetic nearly every night. Aside from Ramon Sessions (26) and Andrew Bynum (24), the Lakers key players are all over 30.

Kobe's Health

Certainly there isn't serious concern that Kobe Bryant will miss time in the playoffs. Yet while he's continued to dominate all season, it's taken a toll on his body. He's averaging 38.5 minutes a contest, and no matter who you are or how tough you are, that has to be hard when you're an NBA star who already has 15 seasons under his belt.

He's missed the last seven games with a shin injury, which actually might help him come playoff time. It's given him an extended resting period, and the Lakers haven't exactly missed a step in his absence. 

Clippers Have Size as Well

The Lakers have, for years, had a size advantage that few teams could match. It was one of their biggest weapons in their past two championship runs. When healthy, Andrew Bynum (7'2") and Pau Gasol (7'0") are easily the most talented and dangerous big-man duo in the NBA.

While Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan don't exactly measure up in height to the Lakers (Griffin is 6'9", Jordan is 6'11") they're more athletic than Gasol or Bynum. Jordan isn't anywhere close to Bynum's level on offense, but he's a excellent defender, and if he can lock down on Bynum inside, the Clippers could turn the tables on the Lakers in the post.

Improved Depth

The Clippers certainly miss Chauncey Billups. When Billups went down with an ACL injury midseason, the Clippers not only lost a great weapon, but a great leader.

Still, the Clippers have worked to correct their depth issues in Billups' absence. They got Nick Young from the Wizards for basically nothing, and they have some sufficient depth with Young, Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans.

While you couldn't exactly call the Clippers depth "threatening," it's easy to make the case that they have more than the Lakers. The Lakers bench consists of Matt Barnes, Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy and Steve Blake. In a lengthy series, teams need to rely on their depth, and I'd pick the Clippers bench in that matchup.  

Chris Paul

Last season when he was with the Hornets, Chris Paul was a one-man wrecking ball against the Lakers in their first-round playoff matchup. While New Orleans lost in a sweep, Paul averaged 22.0 points, 11.5 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals a contest while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 47.7 percent from downtown.

Sure, this year Paul would have to go up against Ramon Sessions instead of Derek Fisher, but Paul still has a huge advantage. He's shown he can elevate his play in the playoffs, and this year's Clippers team, while inconsistent, is still better than his Hornets club last year.