Comments on: Clippers vs Hornets Preview: Hopefully Securing an Easy Win

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:13:00 +0000

All well reasoned. Per my last post I think we will probably still be in 8 but seeing these other teams wobble is heartening. I like this matchup against Cleveland on paper because I’m not sure how their rotations line up in such a way as to guard Harden and Kawhi throughout. Zu is considerably bigger than Allen too. Hunter might be able to bother Kawhi but they really have no one for Harden and several guys we can target in the opposite direction. However, we all know this is a team game and about chemistry and flow and Cleveland has that rolling right now so it could be a steep hill.

I have this sneaking thought that Kawhi may breakout and go nuts in this one. Let’s see what happens.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:12:32 +0000

With health, we can at least be in these next tough upcoming games. The team knows this stretch is an opportunity to make a statement that we are in it to win it. One game at a time boyz.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:08:25 +0000

And just like that, it appears Mobley may be out.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:02:36 +0000

Wolves losing to an undermanned Pacer team and GSW losing to Denver w/out Jokic + Murray was some night of basketball to watch.

Pacers have a very strong roster. Mathurin and Nembhard are tough dudes and good shot makers. They outplayed Ant and Co but neither finished the game! Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell were great down the stretch. Thomas Bryant, I thought, was key to winning the physical battle against the Wolves. Bradley and Jarace Walker were solid too. I don’t know if Carlisle has what it takes to use their full roster optimally, but if he adopts a pure match up basketball approach in the playoffs the Pacers can get back to the conference finals depending on their draw.

Re: Denver, I was having a debate online with a pro-Thunder fan and highlighted that the reason why people are skeptical of OKC in the playoffs is they don’t have other shot creators outside of SGA. Denver has guys who can take over games for stretch with Murray, Gordon and MPJ. They have an x factor in Russ and also with their young guns like Braun, Watson etc. That’s a roster that can win. You saw that tonight with the way Gordon stepped up to score 35 knowing that he has that level in him. Porter Jr also getting his shot volume up to 18 and scoring 20+ is another sign of the talent on that team when you look at the playoffs.

Lakers, too, have a roster that can win. Clips have a roster that can win (though I hesitate on that due to health and also the ability to take care of the basketball and get back on defense).

Well, as of tonight the Clips are now tied in the loss column with Minnesota and 1 behind GSW. This next stretch for the Clippers: CLE, MEM, OKC, @NYK, @BKLYN, @CLE, @ORL to close the month will basically determine whether they’ve got a shot at the #7 or #6 seed. Clips are fully healthy for the first time (though I don’t think Norm is quite there). If they go 6-1 or 7-0, I think they’ll make the playoffs.

My sense of GSW is that their offense has started to slow down a bit and Minnesota seems unsure of how they want to attack in crunch time. The Clippers have a better team, imho, and better execution in crunch time. However, the Clips have the tougher remaining schedule, so how they do in this very tough 7 game stretch will determine their playoff future.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:48:33 +0000

And GSW goes down to the Jokic less Nuggs. Things tightening up a bit for spot no. 6. Does that mean that tom nite’s CLE game is the new biggest of the year? It mite be.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:11:09 +0000

OT, PG is out for the season with injury. Yikes.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:08:14 +0000

Both JMac and MLS both make good points.

We cannot burn out our geezers, but the play in just sucks.

One bad game from your key players can just end your season.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:07:14 +0000

Without a healthy Norm, I don’t know how we can really judge ourselves against OKC on Sunday. We need to match OKC’s physical play. Smash mouth basketball.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 03:03:54 +0000

Don’t look now but the Wolves just lost to Obi Toppin and the Pacers. Never thot TWs would lose again. But the Pacers, as we well know, are gonna be a very tough out. And, Nuggs on top of GSW–so far. Nice start to the nite.

By: I'm a Mann I'm 40

I'm a Mann I'm 40 — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 01:02:18 +0000

I think we’ve run out of time to get to the 6 seed unfortunately. We weren’t prepared for the Powell injury and Kawhi was too early in his return then. The Warriors and Wolves (very easy schedule) are peaking right now and we still have a fairly tough schedule left. I think we’d have had to be 2-3 games ahead of those 2 to have had a shot to hold on to 6.

I wouldn’t feel confident at all facing OKC. The hope would be to get to the 7 seed with the Lakers in the 4/5 spot. When our team is fully healthy we do have the capability to make some noise, but is that realistic to expect?