Los Angeles Clippers: 8-1
From here , it’s all untrue. No pretenders. No”if a few things go right” aspirants. No more”maybe, only perhaps” hopefuls.
Actual, honest-to-goodness contenders only.
The Clippers, by virtue of being said after that debut, are just one contender.
Free of the shadow cast by Donald Sterling and imbued with the terrifying excitement and impossibly deep pockets of fresh owner Steve Ballmer, the Clips will look to lock a top-three seed from the West again. This time, tough, they’ll aspire to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The majority of the responsibility falls upon the familiar shoulders of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, two players who could easily lead the Clips to yet another No. 1 finish in offensive efficiency. With Doc Rivers’ leadership and (hopefully) another step from DeAndre Jordan, L.A. is in great position for yet another deep playoff series.
There are concerns.
The wing positions are feeble behind J.J. Redick. Matt Barnes is supposed to begin in the 3, and at age 34 that there should be real worries that his 4.2 percent (yes, 4.2% ) shooting from long range during the preseason is less a blip and more a signal his offensive game has fallen off a cliff.
Spencer Hawes was the team’s big offseason get, and as precious as he is as a passer and floor-spacer, he will not frighten anybody on protection.
If the crime remains elite and Rivers may handle his frontcourt rotation wisely, the Clippers could be marginally better than they were a year ago. That might be enough for them to achieve heights they’ve never attained.
Read more: http://www.6pointmedia.com/ufc-mma-predictions-odds-betting-lines-spreads-2019/