2023 Los Angeles Clippers Predictions with Futures Odds and Expert NBA Picks
The LA Clippers have all the talent on their roster to win an NBA championship, and it’s just a matter of putting it all together. When healthy, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard comprise one of the deadliest trios in the league, but the superstars have been unable to stay on the court at the same time. Will this be the season we finally see LA reach their full potential, or will it be another frustrating season for Clippers fans and bettors alike?
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Los Angeles Clippers Offseason Recap
The Clippers were understandably quiet in the offseason, as upper management elected to give the current squad a chance to succeed. They signed Westbrook to a Rest-of-Season contract in February and managed to ink him to a 2-year deal in the offseason. Surprisingly, Westbrook has been able to consistently stay on the court in the last few seasons and is the hardest working leader in the league. He brings tenacity on both ends of the floor and is one of the best 3rd options in the NBA.
The Clippers also signed Mason Plumlee to a 1-year deal, and he will back up Ivica Zubac. The 33-year-old is in the tail end of his career, and it’s unlikely there are any surprises with his play. His 10.8 PPG last season was a career high, and he will help the Clippers stay among the league’s best rebounders.
Los Angeles Clippers Season Expectations
The Clippers are expected to go on a deep playoff run, in the hope of bringing home the franchise’s first NBA title, and their first NBA Finals appearance to go along with it. When the duo of Leonard and George was formed immediately after Leonard had carried the Toronto Raptors to their 2019 championship, hopes were high in LA. Leonard is more than capable of making clutch shots and is one of the best two-way players in the league. His offensive domination can sometimes overshadow the work he puts in on the defensive end, but he is just as effective on the defensive end of the court as well. His requested partnership with George would’ve provided a devastating duo, but the two struggled to get on the floor together. Since joining the Clippers 4 years ago, Leonard has only suited up for 161 games, or a mere 42% of their contests, while George has only played 189 games, or 58% of their games. It’s very difficult to get anything going in the NBA when the star players are suiting up for just half the games. This team was built to be a dynasty, yet we’ve never seen them come even close to reaching their potential, and likely never will. Their trio of superstars are 32,33, and 34 years old heading into the season, and expecting them to play 70+ contests is unrealistic. George and Leonard both averaged 23.8 PPG last season, while Westbrook led the team with 7.6 Assists. The Clippers are more than capable of getting the most out of their All-Stars, as long as they can stay on the court.
Los Angeles Clippers Schedule Breakdown
The Clippers open up the season with games against the Trail Blazers, Jazz, Spurs, and Magic Three of those four are at home, and they have a great opportunity to start the year off hot. The most brutal section of their schedule comes in February, when they have a 7-game road trip sandwiched between home games against the Lakers and Pelicans. Other than that, their longest trip is a mere 4 games, which will be critical for this team. Kawhi Leonard has already spoken out against the league’s new resting policy. And with 15 different sets of back-to-back games, Leonard will struggle to avoid the fines that will come with his seat on the bench.
LA Clippers Odds
Despite their lack of recent playoff success, the Clippers find themselves near the top of the league’s betting odds once again. The +1600 odds on offer for their title victory are good for 7th in the league, and their 45.5 wins puts them 6th in the West. The upside for this squad is certainly high, as a trio of Leonard, George, and Westbrook will torment their opposition. However, the fact of the situation is that it is highly unlikely all 3 will be able to stay healthy for long stretches of the season. An interesting place to look for value is in the in-season tournament. The Clippers have been dealt a tough hand with the Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, and Rockets joining them in Group C, but the +2500 odds available for the lifting of the trophy are extremely tempting. The fact that the tournament takes place early in the season may allow their stars to stay healthy long enough, and for them to prioritize the tournament games.
Los Angeles Clippers 2023-24 Season Predictions
The Clippers will once again fall short of making any waves in the postseason, as at least one of their aging superstars will miss significant time this season. We all saw what a healthy Kawhi Leonard can do, after he led a Raptors team that is much weaker than this one to a championship. His ability to take over games has allowed him to remain a relevant force in the league, despite his injury woes.
This year, the Clippers won’t be able to get over the hump, and I expect them to finish Under 45.5 wins. Banking on injuries occurring is never an enjoyable place to be, but it has happened too many times before to expect otherwise. However, in the play-in tournament, I am all over the value on a +2500 bet. If the Clippers can make it out of their tough group, they have what it takes to win a shortened version of the postseason. It is quite ideal for the composition of the Clippers, and they are a great bet to make a deep run, or fall flat on their face. I’ll be banking on the former, as they finish with a 41-41 record, but it won’t matter after they take home the play-in tournament crown.
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