Clippers Beat up on Knicks, But Still Have a Long Way to Go

The last four games the Clippers have played in their tumultuous season full of injuries and roster shifts have been entirely indicative of their year. On March 7, on the road against a tough Denver team, they wilted under the pressure, losing 107-92. Against a weak Detroit Pistons team on March 10, they annihilated them 129-97, and had a “dunk of the year” candidate take place when center DeAndre Jordan demolished the Pistons’ Brandon Knight on a Chris Paul alley-oop pass. Then, just three days later, the Clippers were convincingly beat by the Memphis Grizzlies, a big, strong, physical team that simply outmuscled them. And then yesterday, they beat the Knicks 93-80, though it was a Knicks team without Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire. Up, down, up, down. It’s been the story of the Clippers all year; what’s the real team look like, and can they please step forward?

The Clippers have looked inexplicably lackadaisical at times this season, and despite their strong standing heading into the playoffs, they know they have to do and show more if they’re going to make a real dent against the elite teams in the Western Conference.

“We want them to be at full throttle with Melo and Tyson just for the competition of it,” said Clippers guard Chauncey Billups after the Knicks game. “When they’re not playing, it’s just human nature to have a subconscious letdown, but you have to find a way to just scrap through it…. I was just telling the guys that we have to start playing playoff basketball now. You can’t just turn on a light switch and say, ‘All right, it’s playoff basketball.’ You have to start playing now, especially with the positioning that we’re going through and going to face for the final 15 games. You have to start playing that way right now.”

Indeed, as good as the Clippers have looked at times, they’ve also shown that they can be manhandled in the paint, something that was illustrated clearly in their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, they easily defeated the injured Knicks, and still have a chance at a great seed in the West. Here were some of the betting trends for both teams heading into Sunday’s clash, per OddsShark.com:

New York Knicks Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Utah are 5-5
After playing Portland are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

Los Angeles Clippers Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Sacramento are 5-5
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

A few Knicks at Clippers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York’s last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York’s last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York’s last 6 games on the road
New York is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against New York
LA Clippers are 20-5 SU in their last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing New York
LA Clippers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games

“You want to be playing not just for the seeding, but to be ready going into the playoffs,” said Blake Griffin after his team’s win. “It’s the time when everybody’s intensity needs to be turned up, and we need to be dialed in for every single game, no matter who we’re playing.”

If the Clippers can figure out their lineups, play more consistent defense and get everyone enough minutes, they can challenge any team in the West. However, if they keep their rollercoaster ways going, they might be watching the playoffs from home earlier than they would’ve liked.