Clippers vs Spurs Round 1
The series could have been avoided, if the Spurs would have won their last regular season game against the Pelicans. It is not a time to draw serious conclusions, but the Spurs are usually perfect in must win games and failing to deliver in that game if not anything else then at least gives the Clippers some confidence that the defending champions can be beaten. History tells us that the Spurs have not been able to defend their title and have several times failed miserably in the play-offs following the season when they have won the title. It is something that can be called a a hunger for the win and it is always a bit more difficult to feel hungry after you just had a satisfying meal. The Clippers are of course as hungry as they can be after several years failing to meet the expectations.
The Clippers biggest problem has been their second unit, that in recent weeks have just failed several times to hold big leads. Nevertheless the Clippers have the 2nd best record after the All-Star break and getting Jamal Crawford (defending 6th man of the year) back from injury will help the Clippers bench to perform better. The Clippers starters though should have a slight advantage over the Spurs starters, simply because Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have too much energy for the Spurs (good but) old and slow on their feet low-post players. Another problem for Spurs is that their best defender Kawhi Leonard, who the Spurs have used to stop the opposing team best scorer, does not have anyone particular to stop in this series. So it somehwat eliminates the biggest advantage the Spurs have had at the defensive end in recent weeks.
We see this as an equal match up, that is more or less a coinflip. The Spurs have more experience, but the Clippers are probably more hungry. The Spurs have a better bench, but the Clippers have home-court advantage and slightly better starting lineup. Odds for the Clippers are too good to avoid. Take the Clippers to win the series @2.51 from Pinnacle with 2/5 units.
GL
The series could have been avoided, if the Spurs would have won their last regular season game against the Pelicans. It is not a time to draw serious conclusions, but the Spurs are usually perfect in must win games and failing to deliver in that game if not anything else then at least gives the Clippers some confidence that the defending champions can be beaten. History tells us that the Spurs have not been able to defend their title and have several times failed miserably in the play-offs following the season when they have won the title. It is something that can be called a a hunger for the win and it is always a bit more difficult to feel hungry after you just had a satisfying meal. The Clippers are of course as hungry as they can be after several years failing to meet the expectations.
The Clippers biggest problem has been their second unit, that in recent weeks have just failed several times to hold big leads. Nevertheless the Clippers have the 2nd best record after the All-Star break and getting Jamal Crawford (defending 6th man of the year) back from injury will help the Clippers bench to perform better. The Clippers starters though should have a slight advantage over the Spurs starters, simply because Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have too much energy for the Spurs (good but) old and slow on their feet low-post players. Another problem for Spurs is that their best defender Kawhi Leonard, who the Spurs have used to stop the opposing team best scorer, does not have anyone particular to stop in this series. So it somehwat eliminates the biggest advantage the Spurs have had at the defensive end in recent weeks.
We see this as an equal match up, that is more or less a coinflip. The Spurs have more experience, but the Clippers are probably more hungry. The Spurs have a better bench, but the Clippers have home-court advantage and slightly better starting lineup. Odds for the Clippers are too good to avoid. Take the Clippers to win the series @2.51 from Pinnacle with 2/5 units.
GL
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