In less than two weeks, 22 teams will resume the NBA season in Orlando.
Each team will play eight games to conclude the regular season. The long break from the season has allowed most teams to get fully healthy. As organizations settle into Disney, the hype of the season return is beginning. Teams returning to the court will play in a different atmosphere. No fans will be in attendance to cheer on their franchises. That means no defense chants, no courtside interactions, and no free-throw distractions. The effect of the crowd will no longer impact the outcome of the game.
For the Clippers, these eight games are a chance to make a move in the West. They are just 5.5 games behind for the first seed and can get there with a firm closeout to the season. With an injury-free roster, all they need to do is stay healthy and play at their full potential. The Clippers have the opportunity to control their destiny in Orlando.
Thursday, July 30th vs. LA Lakers
Starting with the hardest game on the Orlando schedule, LA opens with the one seed in the West.
Going from 5.5 games behind to 4.5 at the start can build some momentum and confidence for the Clippers. This game is the most important one of the restart because not only is it against their rival, but it is the first game back. Opening the restart with the Lakers will show what the Clippers’ mindset is. If they come out hot, they can make the most of these last eight games. If they start cold, it could be a long month.
This game will be the fourth time these two teams meet. However, instead of it being in the Staples Center, the ball of LA won’t be played in LA. The Clippers lead the series this season with a 2-1 record. In those games, the Clippers are shooting 45.6% against the Lakers, while putting up 108.7 points/game. One tactic that worked was their pass game. In the two games they won, the Clippers averaged 24 assists as a team. When they failed to reach their average and only assisted on 12 baskets, they suffered defeat. If the Clippers want to start correctly in Orlando, they need to move the ball and get everyone involved.
Saturday, August 1st vs. New Orleans
Game two comes against a team that is in a must-win mentality. The Pelicans are one of those teams that are battling for a chance to get the 8th seed. They are in a three-way tie for 9th and are seizing every opportunity they can. This game won’t be easy because New Orleans is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA. They rank 3rd in three-pointers made (13.9) and tied for 3rd in three-point percentage (37.2%). The Clippers will have to get out on the perimeter and defend the three, so they can control the game.
The Clippers are 2-1 against the Pelicans this season. Their lone loss came in the first meeting of the two when New Orleans shot an impressive 52.9% from the three. The Clippers found a way to defend that the next two games by holding them to just 34.1% from downtown. The team likes to put up points on this Pelicans team by scoring 131.3 points/game. They have found the match-ups they want and continue to attack them at the rim and in the air. LA showed their explosiveness by putting together a double-digit comeback in the third meeting. If the Clippers plan to win game two, they are going to need to light up the scoreboard to combat the Pelicans’ high-pace offense.
Tuesday, August 4th vs. Phoenix
Another team that is on the edge of the 8th seed is the Suns. They are sitting at 13th in the West and have the farthest route to get to the playoffs. Being six games back of 8th place, Phoenix is desperate and needs to win every game. In their path is the Clippers, who also have reasons to succeed. The Suns shouldn’t be an immediate threat but have players that can change the tone of the game and be competitive. The Suns’ most significant strength is their free-throw shooting being 1st in the league at 82.6%. Their free-throw shot put together with their scorers, passers, and paint presence can cause problems if not anticipated.
The Clippers have faced off against the Suns three times this season, winning two and losing one. The first loss was the third game of the season. The Clippers gave up 130 points to a team who had just lost their star center two days before and lost by one in overtime the day before. They let the Suns shoot 50% from the field and gave them 34 free-throw attempts that led to 27 easy points. The Clippers recovered on defense and held them to an average of 95.5 points in the next two meetings and kept them under 100 both times. LA also kept the fouls to a minimum and gave Phoenix just 14 free-throw attempts on average. To get their third win over the Suns this season, the Clippers will need to stay disciplined on defense and keep them off the free-throw line.
Thursday, August 6th vs. Dallas
This midway point of the games could be a possible first-round playoff match-up sneak peek. The Mavericks are 7th at the moment and would play the Clippers if the seeding doesn’t change. With close proximity all the way up to Denver at 3rd, Dallas has an opportunity to climb in the conference. They will take this game seriously and will need to win to stay at a higher seed. This contest is the third-biggest game on the Clippers’ schedule because they could see the Mavericks again in the playoffs.
The Clippers are undefeated against the Mavs this year– emerging victorious twice in Dallas. LA prevented the Mavs from getting hot, holding them to under 30% from three in both games. The Mavs are 8th in the NBA in three-point percentage (36.9%) and have players that can shoot from anywhere on the court. Continuing to defend the perimeter against good three-point shooters got the Clippers to where they are now. If they want to keep improving, they will need to keep closing out and make threes hard to come by.
The Clippers’ first four games will be a test to see if they are well-rested and ready for their championship push. Expectations are high in the locker room, and they expect to have what it takes to win it all. They first have to finish out the season, but winning as many of these eight games as possible can provide them the momentum to make a run at an NBA title.
Stay tuned for the back-half of the Clippers’ bubble schedule breakdown!
All stats taken from stats.nba.com
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