Clippers Rumors: Are they doomed to collapse in the playoffs?

The latest Clippers rumors look at whether or not they can succeed in the playoffs.

It was a slow start at home Sunday which could be attributed to the matinee start-time; their second in two days. Those mid-morning games can throw players off their pre-game routines of specific meals, sleep, and pre-game warm-ups.

The third quarter saw the defense perk up a bit and the jumpers start to fall. The team managed to build a double-digit lead heading into the fourth.

But that’s when the old ghosts appeared.

You see, I don’t think the team has ever truly gotten over their soul-crushing loss to Houston in the 2015 Western Conference semi-finals. They had a 3-1 lead in that series when they lost it, 100-113, in Game 7. They became only the 9^th team in NBA history to lose after holding a 3-1 advantage.

Psychological scars. They will mess with you and rear their ugly little heads at the worst of times.

Those scars are in full view now for the Clippers, which doesn’t bode well for the players, the coaching staff, or the fans who just want their team in playoff form at the start of the playoffs!

On Sunday the team collapsed, again. They held a 94-76 lead with 5 minutes 16 seconds left in the game – but could not score again. The Kings went on a 20-3 run in those closing minutes and the Clippers once again were unable to put the game away. That is worrisome.

There was a noticeable lack of effort, sloppy and inconsistent play, and poor decision-making on both the players and Doc Rivers’ part.

I understand that with all the injuries this season it’s probably been difficult for Doc to find his rotations, but his questionable substitutions at the end of the game, especially knowing how his team is prone to collapsing, left me baffled.

Sacramento, at 28-45, is thirteenth in the Western Conference and is a team that the Clippers should be able to put away at this point in the season. With the Big Three all healthy, it was hard to watch them struggle to score at the end of the game.

I want them playing in sync and with confidence in order to build some momentum heading into the playoffs. I didn’t see any of that on Sunday.

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The fifth-place Clippers have now lost 10 of 19 games and are a game behind the Jazz in the Western Conference. With this loss, their home-court advantage is not secured. With only 9 games remaining, the Clippers need to find their playoff form – and fast.

My thought is if the Clippers have another early exit in the post-season, it will probably be because they beat themselves. If that happens, I think the team will be disbanded.

And after watching the their performance, or lack thereof, on Sunday, I’m worried that is exactly where they are headed.

Blake Griffin can opt out of his contract at the end of the season and is reportedly sniffing around the Lakers, and Chris Paul, who isn’t getting up there in age, can opt out as well. I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but I’m alarmed.

I’m a huge Clipper fan. It was a tough March for the team and I keep telling myself they have to hit rock bottom before they can turn things around. But this is cutting it close.

Sunday’s collapse was rock bottom. So I guess the good news is, with nine games left, there is nowhere to go but up.

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The Clippers take on the Washington Wizards at home on Wednesday.