Blake Griffin's Clippers: Brutal Schedule Ahead

If Blake Griffin sees his shadow, does it mean a month long brutal schedule?

How about an early exit from the playoff picture?

Or are those one and the same? 

Even though the Los Angeles Clippers have looked far better recently and have made the idea of a playoff berth a legitimate possibility instead of a laughable statement, not even the Los Angeles Lakers could navigate through the Clippers' February schedule without several speed bumps along the way. 

After losing to the Chicago Bulls last night, the Clippers will head on the road for 11 straight games and won't return home until February 26. 

These will be their opponents...

1) Atlanta Hawks, Feb. 4

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 03: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena on November 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User

The hidden story line in the Eastern Conference this season is how well the Atlanta Hawks are playing.

Right now they're 31-18 and are currently the four seed in the top heavy Eastern Conference. The Clippers will go on the road to Atlanta to see how Blake Griffin stacks up against Josh Smith and new All-Star Al Horford. 

Oh, and the Hawks still have Joe Johnson. 

2) Miami Heat, Feb. 6

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Chris Bosh is healthy again.

The Heat are ready to go on another run.

Will Griffin be able to play with the same passion and fire he did in their last matchup that ended with an impressive Clippers win?

3) Orlando Magic, Feb. 8

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic prepares to shoot a free-throw on his way to a game-high 40 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90

As if going on the road to play Atlanta and Miami wasn't enough, Griffin will also have to lead his team into battle against Orlando.

It'll be their third game against a top Eastern Conference team in five days. 

4) New York Knicks, Feb. 9

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks during his game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade so far.

Now add Amar'e Stoudemire to the list.

The Olympic selection committee could build their team with the players the Clippers will have faced by February 9th.

Can Blake Griffin lead his team to victory in Madison Square Garden? 

5) Cleveland Cavaliers, Feb. 9, Toronto Raptors, Feb. 13

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott looks on dejected during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

What a sigh of relief!

Nothing feels better than seeing back-to-back games against the Cavaliers and Raptors.

However, even the Celtics have lost in Cleveland this season. Will the Cavs still be on their losing streak by this game?

If so, the Clippers would hate to be the team that ends the embarrassing streak. 

6) Milwaukee Bucks Feb. 14, Minnesota Timberwolves, Feb. 16

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

If these games were in Los Angeles I'd give the Clippers the edge. But having to play in Milwaukee, then travel to Minnesota?

It'll be hard for the Clippers to not go 1-1 in this stretch. 

The Kevin Love versus Blake Griffin matchup will be a great one, and a classic to watch for the next fifteen years. 

7) Oklahoma City Thunder, Feb. 22

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Teammates Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma Thunder warmup before the start of their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOT

After four easier games, Blake Griffin takes his team to Oklahoma City to play Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Durant is on a scoring tear right now and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. 

8) New Orleans Hornets, Feb. 23

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 26: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets passes the ball during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 26, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

The very night after the Clippers play the Thunder, they'll travel down to New Orleans.

The Hornets are 20-5 at home this season.

9) Los Angeles Lakers, Feb. 25

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Boston Celtics in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (Photo by Jeff Gross

The final road game for the Clippers is barely a road game at all. Instead, it's just like everything else on their February schedule, only worse.

They'll be playing what is arguably the toughest team in the league.

Kobe will want revenge for their last meeting, and Pau Gasol will be ready to challenge Griffin. 

10) Boston Celtics, Feb. 26

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics yells after scoring a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (

Home sweet...oh!

The road stretch is over and the Clippers come back home on February 26! Time to celebrate!

Oh wait...

The Boston Celtics are coming to town to play the Clippers the night after the Lakers game. The NBA Finals champion and runner-up in two nights.

In one month, the Clippers will have played almost the entire Eastern Conference playoff picture. 

11) Sacramento Kings, Feb. 28

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24: DeMarcus Cousins stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted fifth by The Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Clippers go back on the road to play Sacramento.

Even though the Kings are second to last in the Western Conference, Demarcus Cousins continues to improve.

The combination of playing the Lakers and Celtics may leave the Clippers drained by the time they step foot on the Sacramento floor.