After going 8-2 over their last 10 games, the Los Angeles Clippers are sitting in the 7th seed in the Western Conference. Things are looking bright for them to make the playoffs, or at a minimum, the play-in tournament, with only 6 games remaining.
Who they could face in the first round is still a mystery, but undoubtedly, they do not want to get a first-round matchup with the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are 64-12, on pace for one of the greatest regular seasons ever, and have won 11 straight. Facing them feels like a quick playoff exit for just about any team.
Do The Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Best With OKC?
Former player and current NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins feels slightly different in regard to the Los Angeles Clippers, at least.
“[A threat to the Thunder is] a team in LA and it’s not the Lakers. It’s the Los Angeles Clippers,” Perkins said during ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
Everybody has been oohing and ahhing over the Lakers, and rightfully so, but the Clippers have quietly assembled a really good roster with two of the best players in the game in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
“It’s a team in LA and it’s not the Lakers."@KendrickPerkins on the Clippers being OKC's biggest threat right now 👀 pic.twitter.com/FiuF7o71zT
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“This is a team that has one of the best coaches in the game in Tyronn Lue. This is a team that has James Harden, who has been balling all season long, made the All-Star team. And now, they have Kawhi Leonard joining, who’s looking healthy again. Looking like the Kawhi of old. And then you throw in a sprinkle of the big fella in the middle, Zubac, who’s averaging a monster double-double right now.”
When you think of dominant big men in the NBA, Zubac rarely gets mentioned, but he is having an unbelievable year. The former 2nd-rounder is averaging 16.5 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game and is a menace on the defensive end.
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No one will ever confuse Zubac for Nikola Jokic, but he does exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers need him to do and does it very well. He is sixth among centers in points and third in rebounds.
“You have veterans around them. Nicolas Batum, a guy who’s gonna be a star in his role. Norman Powell, he should have been an All-Star this year. Derrick Jones Jr., think about it. He went to the Finals last year on the Dallas Mavericks. So watch out for the Clippers. I actually have them as my sleeper in the Western Conference,” Perkins continued.
The Clippers may not be the flashiest team or the most feared, but they are a savvy team that was somewhat built as a Cinderella playoff team. The key will be Harden and Leonard remaining healthy for a potential run.