2016 NBA Playoffs: Los Angeles Clippers Coming In Hot

With the 2016 NBA Playoffs in sight, the Los Angeles Clippers are catching fire at the right time.

The race for the fifth seed in the Western Conference is still to be determined, and if the Los Angeles Clippers expect to get past a team like the Portland Trail Blazers, who currently hold that slot in the standings, they’re going to need to come in as prepared as possible.

In their last ten games, Los Angeles boasts a 9-1 record, with their last two losses coming to Oklahoma City and Golden State on the road.

Los Angeles has also had much-needed consistency from players like Jamal Crawford, who has continued to cement himself as the best sixth man in the league. Blake Griffin‘s return will help them as well, but if they begin to depend too much on Griffin’s input, they’ll fall back into where they were with him absent.

Lost, distracted, and falling apart in all directions.

JJ Redick has filled the void the team struggled with early on in Griffin’s absence by knocking down a plethora of three-pointers, stepping up to drop just shy of 48% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Chris Paul has handled his usual load as the team leader and point guard, but this season may require something different from him in order to make a deeper run than years prior.

During his time in New Orleans, Paul was able to play fluently by focusing on his own game instead of that of the players around him, whereas Los Angeles requires him to be more focused on the state of the team — and the wear is starting to show.

Paul’s production, while important, takes a backseat to his ability or inability to rally the troops during clutch moments of the postseason.

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If you recall, it took an injured game-winning shot for the Los Angeles Clippers to take out the San Antonio Spurs in the first round — in part because nobody else on the team could step up.

Having Paul Pierce around should boost the team’s chemistry, but it’ll be ultimately decided on how much emphasis or fire Chris Paul brings to the table.

DeAndre Jordan has pitched in around 12 points per game this season, with his main contribution coming in the rebounding category with an average of 13 per contest. Jordan’s presence on the boards should — emphasis on should — help balance out the expectations we place on Blake Griffin.

Playing the villain in the Western Conference is tailor-made for the Los Angeles Clippers, but it’s simply a matter of time before we’ll know for sure if the slipper fits. If there were any coach trying to lead this type of basketball team, it would have to be Doc Rivers.

Rivers has seen it all, especially during his tenure as head coach of the Boston Celtics. Los Angeles has given Rivers a taste of the other side of the association, fitting in perfectly in place of Vinny Del Negro.

Los Angeles has to prepare itself for series that will potentially hang on the final possession more than once, even to the point where buzzer-beaters determine who moves on and who stays behind.

Should they end up with Portland as their first round opponent, ending the season strong as they’ve done thus far down the stretch is an absolute must.

Next: D'Angelo Russell Goes Off Against Pelicans

If they were coming into the postseason any different, it’d only be fair to expect more of the same.