Los Angeles Clippers Finish Regular Season on Seven Game Win-Streak
After another throttling performance to end their regular season, the Clippers have done all they can do to secure the best seed possible in the playoffs. Led by Chris Paul’s 22 points, the Clippers put a final dagger in what was a tumultuous ride for the Suns en route to a 112-101 victory in Phoenix.
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Blake Griffin helped support his All-Star point guard as he pitched in 20 points. DeAndre Jordan added 13 points and 14 rebounds. In their final tune-up before the post-season the Clippers showed their preparedness as four of their five starters, and seven players overall, ended in double-figures. For the Phoenix Suns, the game was the final disappointment in a season that saw the team take a step down after last season where the team missed the playoffs by one game. The Suns had only eight players available in their final game.
Apr 14, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots the ball under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) in the fourth quarter at US Airways Center. The Clippers beat the Suns 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
For the Clippers, they have done their part to end the year and their final seeding will be decided by the remaining games this week. In order to enter the playoffs as the second seed, the San Antonio Spurs will have to lose to the New Orleans Pelicans and the Houston Rockets will have to lose to the Utah Jazz.
Of the two, the Spurs have the tallest order in facing the playoff-seeking Pelicans. After losing Anthony Davis for part of the season shortly before the All-Star game, the Pelicans seemed out of the hunt for the playoffs following the incredible play of Russell Westbrook for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder’s recent dip in success however has opened the door for the Pelicans who would take the eighth seed with a victory regardless if the Thunder win their last game. That said, the Spurs are playing their best basketball of the year and analysts across the board believe them to be favored against the West-leading Warriors should they face them in the post-season.
With the Rockets a heavy favorite against the Jazz, the Clippers will likely face the Grizzlies as the third seed. In the event that they do move into the second seed then the Clips would play the Dallas Mavericks in a 2-7 matchup. If either the Rockets or the Spurs lose then they would play them in a 3-6 matchup in the first round.
If all of this is a lot to follow then that’s a good thing. The close race is a testament to the level of competition in the Western Conference. Four of the five leading candidates for the MVP are in the WC and fans will get to see them go head-to-head later this month. The possible match-ups and storylines make this the most intriguing post-season for the Western Conference in years. The Clippers could face either the reloaded Mavericks, the MVP candidate-led Rockets, or the defending champion Spurs.
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In another, in his post-game interview with Allie LaForce, Chris Paul commended the training staff when it was brought up that he had not missed one game this season. It is an important point when looking at the multitude of injuries that was suffered by the Clippers and the fact that they are going into the post-season as one of the top four seeds. Here at LA Sports Hub we have discussed how Chris Paul is the MVP candidate no one is talking enough about.
The Clippers will find out their final seeding and first round opponent by the end of this week. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 19.