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Clippers Curse: Ranking the five straight blown playoff series leads

By Keith Rivas

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) before playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) before playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Second round vs Houston (2015)

Does anything really beat blowing a 3-1 lead?

The Rockets and Clippers played a great series in the second round two years ago. Houston was ready to try and get on to the conference finals, while the Clippers looked legit for the first time in too long.

Los Angeles was hell bent on trying to get to their first conference finals. Chris Paul has had the worst luck of any talented, top tier point guard on top of that. Before the Clippers, Paul’s New Orleans Hornets never made it to the third round.

Those are the only teams since 2000 not to reach that mark.

None of the games in this series were close, with the exception of the game that cost LA the sweep and the series. Game 2 in Houston was decided by six points, and it’s that margin that may haunt the Clippers forever.

If they had just won that game, the next two at home were won by 25 and 28, respectively. The series would’ve been over before it began.

However, that small spark of hope was all that the Rockets needed.

After going down 3-1 in the series, Houston roared back with wins of 21, 12, and 13.

It left the Clippers depleted and was probably their best bet of ever getting out of the second round.

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