Clippers 2015-16 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
Over the past four years, the Los Angeles Clippers haven't had trouble dominating the regular season. However, piles of wins haven't translated to postseason success and the validation that comes with it.
But after an offseason filled with drama, cunning salary-cap management and smart wheeling and dealing, the Clippers are in position to put together their most complete campaign in recent memory.
Not only was L.A. successful in prying DeAndre Jordan from the clutches of the Dallas Mavericks, but the Clippers restocked their perimeter depth with Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith, each of whom was acquired via low-cost or low-risk deals.
As a result, optimism is high among Staples Center residents.
"The Clippers can safely be classified as contenders once more, this time with added talent and leadership potentially paving the way toward a heretofore elusive title," Bleacher Report's Stephen Babb wrote in July.
Although the Clippers will need to slay one of the West's Goliaths in order to qualify for their first-ever Western Conference Finals, the odds indicate they belong among the league's elite entering a crucial 2015-16 season.
According to Odds Shark, the Clippers are holding steady at 12-1 to win the NBA title—which means they have the fifth-best odds to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy at season's end. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder own more favorable marks.
With the 2015-16 schedule officially released, it's time to take a look ahead and see if the Clippers can bounce back in style after getting upset by the Houston Rockets in last season's conference semifinals.
You can view the Clippers' entire 2015-16 slate here, courtesy of NBA.com.
Analyzing Marquee Matchups
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks
When: November 11
If you want bad blood, the Clippers' first showdown in Dallas is bound to have it.
After Jordan spurned the Mavs to return to the Clippers on a four-year max deal, Dallas was left scrambling for replacement options to help fortify its starting frontcourt.
The stopgap solution? Zaza Pachulia. While he is a stellar defensive stopper who can body up some of the league's most imposing bigs, he rests on the other end of the athleticism spectrum compared to Jordan.
With Jordan penciled in at center, Dallas briefly had the look of a legit Western Conference title contender thanks to a core that was also comprised of Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews.
But since Jordan's change of heart dashed Dallas' high-flying hopes, you can bank on tensions rising when the two Western Conference foes hash things out at American Airlines Center on November 11.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
When: January 18
The Clippers held a 3-1 series edge against the Houston Rockets entering Game 5 of the conference semifinals. The franchise's first-ever conference finals appearance appeared to be a mortal lock.
And then catastrophe struck.
The Clippers imploded and lost three straight games as the Rockets became the ninth team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.
On Martin Luther King Day, the Clippers will be seeking revenge.
Not only are they locked and loaded with the same core that allowed them to down the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 conference quarterfinals, but they wield one of the pieces who tormented them in the semifinals last season.
With Josh Smith—who scored 19 points in Game 6, including 14 in the fourth quarter—aboard, the Clippers have versatile wing depth to help relieve Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Jordan of an enormous burden.
Get ready for revenge and the continued evolution of a budding rivalry.
Record Prediction
The Clippers have topped 56 wins each of the past three seasons, and they set a franchise record with 57 victories during the 2013-14 campaign.
But this year should see Los Angeles eclipse that esteemed mark. The core of Paul, Griffin, Jordan and J.J. Redick is intact, and Pierce's addition at the 3 represents an immediate upgrade over Matt Barnes.
Slotting Pierce into a lineup that already led all five-man units (minimum 300 minutes) in offensive rating (117.8) last season is a terrifying prospect for opponents. During his lone season with the Washington Wizards, Pierce shot 38.9 percent from three—his most prolific mark since suiting up for the Boston Celtics during the 2009-10 campaign.
With all eyes on Paul, Griffin and Jordan in the pick-and-roll, Pierce should routinely capitalize on open spot-up attempts from the wings.
The biggest factor that separates this year's Clippers from last year's, though, is improved depth across the board. Last season, the Clippers' bench mob was limited to Jamal Crawford, Spencer Hawes, Austin Rivers, Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu.
Now the second unit boasts Stephenson, Smith, Pablo Prigioni and Wesley Johnson, in addition to Crawford and Rivers.
Stephenson and Smith are both enigmas to varying degrees, but if Doc Rivers can harness their talent properly on a team that has plenty of strong veteran voices, the duo could change the championship landscape in due time.
"I play to win, and I do whatever it takes to win," Stephenson said at his introductory press conference, according to NBA.com's Rowan Kavner. "I’m just happy to be with a group of guys that are going to be behind me with great leaders and All-Star players who I can follow behind their footsteps."
While Stephenson and Smith may be streaky, they can act as the secondary and tertiary ball-handlers L.A. sorely lacked last season. Stephenson has averaged 3.3 dimes for his career, while Smith is coming off a postseason that saw him generate 13 points via assists per 48 minutes.
At long last, the Clippers have filled their glaring holes. Don't be surprised if they parlay that new-found depth into historically significant results.
Regular-Season Record Prediction: 60-22
All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless noted otherwise.
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