In the playoffs, the team one’s franchise ends up facing in the first round is important. Especially in the tough Western Conference, where every team can beat any other team on a given night, a good matchup could mean an easier path to the NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Clippers have recently rested a majority of their key starters during their game against the Houston Rockets, in what looks like an attempt to lose in order to avoid the 3rd seed. If the Clippers stayed the 3rd seed, there was a chance that they would have to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, as the Lakers have a shot to move up to the 6th seed prior to the end of the season.
A first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers isn’t an ideal situation for the Clippers, and it seems like they were attempting to actively avoid their Los Angeles rivals. Basketball analysts Rob Perez and Mike Trudell both explained the situation:
Clippers just assured that they can’t face the Lakers in Round 1. If they lose their final game (at OKC), they are the 4. If they win and DEN loses at POR, LAC are the 3, and LAL are in the play-in going for No. 7 w/POR the 6 at worst. If DEN wins at POR, DEN is the 3.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 15, 2021
to everyone saying: “the Clippers are scared of the Lakers 🤣” … YA THINK!?!?
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 15, 2021
Clippers have done it. They bench Kawhi/PG/Mann/Reggie/Bev + Zubac/Morris pulled and lose to HOUSTON
Nuggets won + have tiebreaker on them
Clippers now control their own destiny getting the 4 seed which means *likely* avoiding the Lakers until West Finals. big-time chess move https://t.co/xBTLsjQzQg
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 15, 2021
If the Los Angeles Clippers secure the 4th seed, then they would likely be able to play the Dallas Mavericks, who are a much easier matchup than the Los Angeles Clippers. Some fans commented on the Clippers purposefully losing with a variety of opinions. While some suggested that the Clippers are scared of the Lakers, others praised the move that Rob Perez described as a “big-time chess move”.
https://twitter.com/ReadTheBioNgga/status/1393406918169878529
There is no way the Clippers will play the Lakers in round 1 thanks to tonight's loss in Houston. Very clever. pic.twitter.com/9xhCzM59bs
— John W Stodder Jr (@johnstodder) May 15, 2021
thats some 4D chess type shit, and they even made the final score look like a close game losing only by 7 points🤣🤣i have to say the addition of the play-in and the Lakers sitting on the 7th seed has made this one of the most entertaining late seasons of all time
— fu (@ilikebiscuits_) May 15, 2021
Lol if they were smart they would try to catch the lakers early when they are still trying to back into a groove with everyone being healthy again. Lol it don’t matter though they will lose no matter what 🤷♂️
— StonkDog (@StonkDippityDog) May 15, 2021
How is avoiding the Lakers in round 1 to possibly see them in the WCF a “chess move”? You’d want to get the Lakers in rd 1 while they’re wounded! But Clippers are scared of wounded Lakers and healthy Lakers.
— I. Ford (@illTechnica) May 15, 2021
Umm but now they gotta face the man they can’t guard Luka da 🐐
— theonejro (@theonejro) May 15, 2021
They just told there players we can't beat the Lakers in the First Round
— Fink About it (@fiapots101) May 15, 2021
No where in league karma history does this predict this will work out for clips
— Jamiroquai General Strike (@powerfulshampoo) May 15, 2021
Very daring chess move considering the Clippers have never been to the WCF.
— Vandelay Industries (New York) (@mlbnflnbaepl) May 15, 2021
Omg clips really did throw the game LOL
— Kris (@HuskiesFan19) May 15, 2021
It is clear that opinions were mixed on what the Los Angeles Clippers did, but it seems like their team thinks this is the best chance for them to win a championship. While they may have avoided playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, that doesn’t mean that the matchup can’t happen later. The battle of Los Angeles would be fun for all fans, and hopefully, we get to see it these upcoming playoffs.
