Falling out of the No. three seed in the Western Conference, the La Clippers should find their hidden advantages should they want to hit off both the Denver Nuggets or the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. After hanging with the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder for a lot of the season, the Clips have fallen off and can have the misfortune of starting the postseason on the road for the 2nd straight season. Fortuitously for Chris Paul and Co., the Clippers possess some hidden advantages in their budding small talent of Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan, as well as the advantage they produced this past year after beating Memphis in the initial round. When Bledsoe and Jordan are performing effectively, the Clippers are elevated to a different defensive stage. With DJ patrolling the paint and Bledsoe wreaking havoc on the perimeter, Lob City is really a tough opponent to score on. It is no coincidence that four of the five staunchest Clipper defense products feature often Bledsoe or Jordan. When Jordan is confident and has his head in the overall game, he is able to develop into a serious force on crime as well. Against an undersized Phoenix Sunsa top line, Jordan went off for 20 points and 12 panels in just 30 minutes of motion. Jordan are at his most useful when he gets involved early. Fittingly, DJ previously had a double-double of 10 items and 11 boards against Phoenix by halftime. Is it time for a rematch?Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images The stat sheet was also stuffed by bledsoe against the Suns, finishing the overall game with 17 items, two rebounds and eight helps against a porous Phoenix backcourt. The success of these two small weapons isn't limited to competition against the leagueas bottom feeders, In addition to Jordan and Bledsoe performed against the Suns. since it is looking like there will be a of last yearas first round, bledsoe and Jordan have had big-time games against the Grizzlies, which can be critical. Bledsoe has averaged 13.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 4.0 APG in two games against Memphis this year. A courageous stopper, Bledsoe used Mike Conley to only five points and one support the last time he matched up against the Grizzlies. Though Jordanas offensive numbers dip somewhat contrary to the defensive-minded Grizz, DJas work on Zach Randolph is outstanding. With Jordan on the ground Randolphas points per 36 minutes drop to just 9.2, down 12.4 from his points per 36 minutes with DJ on the bench. Jordan also offers sound action around the basket, restricting the informed Z-Bo to just 10.0 boards per 36 minutes, seven significantly less than his average with Jordan sidelined. The advantages that include Jordan and Bledsoe will soon be essential, presuming the Clippers and the Grizzlies face off again this postseason. Along with Memphis has performed in the 2nd half of the period, the Clippers have had their number within the last 2 yrs. Lob City not merely took the season series against the Grizzlies 2-1 in 2011-12, but in addition broken off Memphis in the initial round of last yearas postseason. Considered dark horses in the Western Conference, Memphis was not able to manage the efficiency of the Chris Paul-Blake Griffin mixture. With a major games from Reggie Evans and little help from Nick Youngas place threes, La pulled off Memphis, bookended by tremendous street wins. The Clips lead the season series 2-1, with an extraordinary street gain at Memphis without CP3, this year. The only real gain by Memphis in 2013 was with Bledsoe out with an accident. Unsurprisingly, Conley eviscerated Lob City to the tune of 21 points and 11 helps without Bledsoe in the lineup. Even though the Clippers end up facing Memphis in the very first round, they've to feel good about their chances. House judge will soon be valuable, however. Wanting a team to get back-to-back line on your way is a tough job. Inspite of the Clips' maligned past, the psychological fortitude they derived during last yearas postseason gives them a benefit over any of their possible first-round competitors. Other than the Grizzlies, the Nuggets have not managed to get from the first round since 2009. If the Clips are fortunate enough to get backup to the No. 3 seed, they'll likely play section rival Golden State Warriors, a group with zero combined games of playoff experience from its entrepreneurs. Although the Clips have now been in a slump since about the midpoint of the growing season, there is no reason that most desire must be dropped in Lob City. The force is likely to be on Coach Del Negro to draw up effective schemes and play the best rotations. Providing Jordan and Bledsoe more minutes might be a good way to start out. None the less, the Grizzlies and the Nuggets can both be competing for that No. 3 seed as well. A first-round matchup is wanted by no team with an efficient Clippers group firing on all cylinders.
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