For the Clippers this season, they are not only star-studded, but also have the strength and experience to come, and as the season draws to a close, the Clippers have now locked up the fourth spot in the West. Although the Clippers have been a bit inconsistent this season, they do have the best chance to compete for the championship in recent years, and their championship journey this season will be like this!
1. Face the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs
At present, the Clippers' first-round opponent in the playoffs has been determined to be the Mavericks, although the Mavericks have an Eastern European combination, but the Clippers have the league's strongest forward duo Leonard and George, both of whom are the league's top offensive and defensive balance players in a healthy state, and under their main defense, the Eastern European combination will also play extremely uncomfortable and struggle. In addition to Leonard and George, the Clippers also have a number of outstanding players such as Harden, Westbrook, Powell, etc., and the team's overall roster depth is stronger than that of the Mavericks, and they also have a home-court advantage. The Clippers faced the Mavericks in the first round, and there is a high probability that they will be able to retreat, predicting that the Clippers will advance with a score of 4-2.
2. Beat the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs
After advancing in the first round, the Clippers will usher in a fierce battle in the second round. Their second-round opponent will be the Thunder, who have a tough knock out of the Lakers. The Clippers will have a tough time against a young and energetic Thunder, but the playoffs are the litmus test. Although the Thunder team has sprung up this season, ushered in a big breakthrough, and showed a strong demeanor, the team is still too young and has very little playoff experience, especially in the playoffs after the defensive intensity has been improved, and the star quality and playoff experience are more tested. After the whole series, the experience of the Clippers will be their biggest advantage in victory, and they will eventually eliminate the Thunder with a big score of 4-2 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
3. Playoffs Western Conference Finals vs. Nuggets
This season's Western Conference Finals will be the saddest hurdle for the Clippers in the playoffs, as they face the defending champion Nuggets. While the Nuggets have the league's most consistent starting lineup and have been extremely dominant this season, they haven't been hard to beat. This Nuggets team also has a flaw, which is the lack of depth on the overall roster. The series is long, especially against tough opponents, and the drain on core players is even more serious, and the depth of the squad is even more important. As long as the Clippers can seize the gap in the Nuggets' rotation and play to their advantage, the Clippers can eliminate the Nuggets. In the end, the series between the Clippers and the Nuggets will be extremely close, and the Clippers will advance to the Finals with a score of 4-3.
4. Finals against Celtics
After the Clippers advance to the Finals, they will face the Celtics, who are difficult to match in the Eastern Conference this season, and have home-court advantage. But the finals are more of a test of superstars, and it's all about the hardness and intensity of the game, and Leonard has proven himself to be trustworthy in key moments many times. On the other hand, on the Celtics' side, whether it is Tatum or Jaylen Brown, their performance at key moments has been repeatedly criticized, which also makes the Celtics, who have entered the Finals again, still not favored. In the end, the Clippers defeated the Celtics 4-3 and won the first championship in team history, and Leonard was once again named the MVP of the Finals.
Do you think the Clippers have a good chance of winning a championship this season?