LONG TERM OUTLOOK: TRENDING UP

Before the season, the Clippers were projected to win 30.4 games (average per simulation) and things are looking positive. On 7/13 their projected win total was 20.5 before increasing to 47.7 on 12/5. From the start of the season to now their projected win total is up significantly to 45.7 wins. They have virtually no chance at getting home court advantage in the first round. Their chances of getting out of the first round is just 4% and their chances of reaching the conference finals is 0.6%. The odds still give them a sliver of hope to win the West at 1% (100/1 odds) and a 0.5% chance of winning it all (200/1).

Strength of Schedule Getting Much Easier

• Remaining Opponents' Win Percentage Rest of Season: 46% #8 Easiest
• Season-to-Date Opponents' Win Percentage: 51% #4 Toughest

Clippers' Season Forecast Changes

SEASON-TO-DATE GRADE: A

At 41-30 the Clippers are greatly exceeding their money line projected win total of 36 wins. In the process of beating expectations they have had 16 impressive wins where they won as betting underdogs or won big as slight favorites vs 11 bad losses. They have been better than expected on the road. Their 19-17 road record is +10% better than their expected win percentage. Over the past 3 weeks they have played better going 8-3 in a stretch where their projected win rate was 5.4 wins. In simulations where the Clippers played every other team (neutral court in playoffs) they won just 42.4% of the time (#23 in the league). They have moved up from #30 in the league back on 7/13.

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STATISTICAL STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

SHOOTING (STRENGTH): This is an above average shooting team with a true FG% of 57.2% (#7 in League). They average 114.7 pts per game vs an expected average (based on pre-game odds) of 113.5. On the road they average 111.9 (112 expected), and at home 117.5 ppg (115 expected).

DEFENSE (STRENGTH): They are an above average defensive team holding opponents to 55.2 true FG% (#12 in League). They allow 113.7 pts per game vs an expected value of 113.4. They are allowing 113.4 (114.4 expected) on the road, and at home 114.1 ppg (112.3 expected).

REBOUNDING (BELOW AVERAGE): They are slightly outrebounded by opponents by 0.2 per game (#17 in league). However, the team has recently outrebounded opponents by 5.6.

TURNOVERS (WEAKNESS): Their average turnover margin is -1.2 per game (#23 in league). Better in their last 7 games with a turnover margin of 0.4.

NEXT 5 GAME OUTLOOK: CLOUDY

The Clippers next 5 game forecast looks pretty dreary. They have 2 games where they are favored by >55% of the simulations, 4 more 'toss up' games, and 4 games where they are a clear underdog. The most likely scenario over the next 5 games is a record of 2-3 (36% chance). Their chances of winning 4 or more are 6.3%. At #8 in the conference, they are fighting with the Jazz for positioning. With a -2.18 disadvantage in projected wins over their next 5 games they may find themselves further behind in the conference. With a -1.16 disadvantage in projected wins over their next 5 games they may find the gap between them closing. Our Fatigue Index ranks teams based on travel miles, time zones crossed, days off since their last game and based on these metrics the Clippers are just the 29th most fatigued team heading into the next game. Over the next few weeks, the Clippers are playing 7 games, traveling 15534 miles crossing 20 time zones. They rank #6 on the Fatigue Index during this time period.

Win%, Opp, and Distance to Road Game (**Indicates Back-to-Back)
MAR 19
CLOSE GAME
52% IND
--
MAR 22
CLOSE GAME
49% @CLE
2049 miles
MAR 24
CLOSE GAME
53% @NY
2450 miles
MAR 26
LIKELY LOSS
26% @MIN
1524 miles
MAR 28
LIKELY LOSS
16% @MIL
1744 miles
MAR 30
CLOSE GAME
60% CLE
--
MAR 31**
LIKELY WIN
66% MEM
--
APR 3
CLOSE GAME
40% HOU
--
APR 5
CLOSE GAME
47% LAL
--
APR 7
LIKELY LOSS
20% @GS
338 miles

The LA Clippers' next game is on March 19. Visit Sportsline.com to get picks, free trends and player projections for this game.

FANTASY PROFILE

Based on rest of season projections, these are the 6 most valuable fantasy players based on their projected position rank (Guards, Forwards, Centers). Overvalued players are rated higher by the market based on ownership% and vice versa.