Daunting Schedule Creates Nightmare Scenario For Clippers
With 15 back-to-backs and an NBA-high 25 sets of three games in four days, the league office gave the Clippers a brutal test
Dan Karpuc - Aug 18, 2023, 9:43pm EDT
As they bid farewell to the Crypto.com Arena, the Clippers find themselves grappling with a grueling schedule that seems to have been designed to work against them. With a large number of back-to-backs, an exorbitant amount of travel, and a series of tough stretches, it's becoming increasingly evident that the Clippers will be facing an uphill battle. As the team prepares for its transition to the Intuit Dome arena next summer, let's delve into the factors that could make this season one to forget for the Clippers and why betting on them to underachieve makes a lot of sense.
A Daunting Schedule
One of the most glaring indicators of the Clippers' potential struggles this season is their unforgiving schedule. Last season, the team had the second-highest number of back-to-back games in the NBA, and the schedulers decided to run it back. With 15 sets of games on consecutive days, the Clippers are forced to navigate an exhausting series of contests that could take a toll on them.
Notably, they also face a staggering 25 stretches of three games in four days, a league-high that will put their stars to the ultimate test. Given how Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have failed to stay healthy and Leonard’s lack of availability in general, their depth will absolutely be put to the test and, like last year, their cohesion and chemistry could take a hit.
Their longest homestand is also only four games long, so that could be another negative factor.
As they bid farewell to the Crypto.com Arena, the Clippers find themselves grappling with a grueling schedule that seems to have been designed to work against them. With a large number of back-to-backs, an exorbitant amount of travel, and a series of tough stretches, it's becoming increasingly evident that the Clippers will be facing an uphill battle. As the team prepares for its transition to the Intuit Dome arena next summer, let's delve into the factors that could make this season one to forget for the Clippers and why betting on them to underachieve makes a lot of sense.
A Daunting Schedule
One of the most glaring indicators of the Clippers' potential struggles this season is their unforgiving schedule. Last season, the team had the second-highest number of back-to-back games in the NBA, and the schedulers decided to run it back. With 15 sets of games on consecutive days, the Clippers are forced to navigate an exhausting series of contests that could take a toll on them.
Notably, they also face a staggering 25 stretches of three games in four days, a league-high that will put their stars to the ultimate test. Given how Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have failed to stay healthy and Leonard’s lack of availability in general, their depth will absolutely be put to the test and, like last year, their cohesion and chemistry could take a hit.
Their longest homestand is also only four games long, so that could be another negative factor.
Racking Up The Miles
As if the rigorous schedule wasn't enough, the Clippers also have to travel more miles than any other team this season, per Automatic on Twitter. Covering a staggering 50,670 miles, they’ll travel over 3,500 more than the next-most-traveled squad (Nets).
How They Stack Up
While they are led by big names like Russell Westbrook, George and Leonard, the intensity of their schedule coupled with potential injury concerns might hinder their ability to maintain a consistently high level of play. When looking back to last season, Kenyon Martin Jr. is the only rotational addition that will likely make an impact.
Compared to other Western Conference teams, the Clippers seem to fall in the middle tier. While they will likely have an advantage over teams like the Jazz, Blazers, Rockets, and Spurs, they appear to lag behind at least the Nuggets, Suns, Kings, Thunder, Warriors, and Pelicans. This middle-ground standing, coupled with their daunting schedule, could make their path to the playoffs a challenging one. Right now, I’d consider them very close to the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Lakers in terms of overall makeup.
Betting Opportunities
Given the challenges outlined above, it's difficult for me to be high on this team. Keep in mind that this team finished 44-38 before a quick playoff exit last year. Placing bets on the Clippers to miss the playoffs at +225 odds (BetRivers) or on them achieving fewer than 46.5 regular-season wins at +100 odds (FanDuel) are smart choices, in my opinion. Use our exclusive welcome offers below and take advantage at those sportsbooks while you can still get these odds!
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