NBA Buzz: L.A. Clippers Beat Miami Heat, Eye Playoff Berth?
The Los Angeles Clippers started the season with one win in the first 14 games. After their abysmal start, they have been playing over .500 basketball winning 12 out of their next 23 games. On top of that, they have won eight out of their last 11 games, including their win over the Miami Heat last night. Let’s get into this in a little more detail.
The Miami Heat had the best record in the Eastern Conference. They had won 21 out of their last 22 games. They also are the NBA’s leading team in point differential per game. In other words, they beat up on teams, especially young inexperienced ones. Not the Clippers, not last night.
The Clippers came into the game with their confidence as high as it had ever been through the season given their recent success. The return of Baron Davis has given the team a sense of resurrection and the fact that Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon are both having incredible seasons only adds to the team’s confidence. Regardless of these feelings, the Miami Heat were by far who the Clippers would rather play after a nice stretch of good performances.
Last nights game was emotional. After seeing their double digit lead go down to two on a one-legged LeBron James three-pointer, the Clippers did not panic. They came back strong and scored the next four points and played solid defense. At the end of the night they saw Chris Bosh take long three-pointers and kept red hot Dwayne Wade off the ball. It was a solid attack to say the least.
The Clippers have clearly matured after their rough start and are playing exceptional basketball. They are communicating on offense and executing down the stretch. For the season, they are actually in the middle of the pack in almost every statistical category, but their latest efforts have pushed them up in very significant ones. As of last night, the Clippers are the NBA’s 10th best team in assists per game and the fourth best in rebounds per game. These numbers have actually been higher during their last 11 game stretch.
Even though maturity has taken this team to a whole new level, there is still plenty of room to grow. The Clippers are third in the league in most turnovers per game at over 15. That number has been lower in the last few games, but they need to keep it that way as it correlates directly to them winning ballgames.
Taking the Clipper’s latest successful stretch, one can only speculate what the team’s goal is at this point. That question was clear three weeks ago and the answer was probably another losing season, a high draft pick, and hope for the future. Now, that question becomes a winning record, increased productivity from future all-star youngsters, and possibly a playoff berth!
A playoff berth, really? Yes, the Clippers are in good position to land one of the bottom seeds in the Western Conference. Their record is only 13 and 24, but their current winning pace could have them winning over 45 games for the season. To be exact, if they keep their recent winning pace (eight out of 11), the Clippers would end up winning 46 games for the season. This year, that would be good enough for eighth or even seventh in the Western Conference.
At this point in the season, the Denver Nuggets currently hold the seventh spot in the West and are on pace to win 46 games total. The Portland Trail Blazers hold the eighth spot and are on pace for only 42 total. The Clippers can easily sneak in the playoff picture if these teams keep that pace. Although other teams like Memphis, Houston, and Golden State are also on the rise, none have caught the fire the Clippers have. Assuming Denver falls out of the picture after the eventual trade of Carmelo Anthony, it would be a perfect opportunity for the Clippers to get in.
I have made many assumptions and overly optimistic statements in this article, but the message I am trying to convey is the Clippers are a strong team in the West now and their win last night as well as their recent success has me and many others thinking playoffs come April.
What do you think about this situation? Let me know in the comments section below!
