The Los Angeles Clippers hopes to get Montrezl Harrell cleared from quarantine before the final two games of the seeding stage.
The seeding stage of the NBA bubble is about to finish. For most of it, the games were meaningless in terms of standing. Of course, the majority of the teams made use of seeding games to tinker with their roster while others looked to regain their conditioning.
In reality, the only meaningful part of the early games is the race for the eighth spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. The NBA bubble is heating up, and the teams are preparing to lock-in for a long ride to the championship.
Los Angeles Clippers in the postseason
The Clippers are the clear favorites to win it all this year because their front office was busy. They claimed Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to build a super team. Around them are high-caliber players that will give up just about everything to win a ring for the franchise.
The pressure on them is heavy as they will have to muster enough strength to get out of the Western Conference warzone. In the first round, their mettle will be tested heavily by the young Mavericks, although the Clips are expected to win this series.
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After this, they could face either the Nuggets or the Jazz. Both of these teams have highly competitive big men in Jokic and Gobert. Either matchup will be a good test if the undersized Montrezl Harrell can stand his ground. It will also be a good barometer if the small-ball lineup of the Clippers can withstand seven games of a James-Davis onslaught.
Flexible lineup change
The Los Angeles Clippers team has an extremely deep roster. Their second-five players are good enough to start in another team. As such, Doc Rivers will have to think long and hard on how to manage his Playoffs roster. He will have to make a tough decision on whom to cut from the rotation.
Normally, coaches trim their active players to just eight to provide familiarity for them every series. Landry Shamet, Patrick Patterson, Reggie Jackson, and Joakim Noah could currently lose their playing time.
Be that as it may, Doc Rivers will most likely adjust his team according to the matchup. As such, the entire roster of the Clippers should stay locked and loaded with the ‘next man up’ mindset. Otherwise, they’ll surely be cut from rotation.
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