Los Angeles Clippers Look to Clinch the Fourth Seed in Western Conference Playoffs

The Los Angeles Clippers have clinched a spot in the 2017 postseason, but that doesn’t mean they plan on resting their star players in their final regular season game. The Clippers and the Utah Jazz both have a record of 50-31, with the Clippers owning the tie-breaker. A win against the Sacramento Kings will clinch the fourth seed and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the Clippers.

Having won six games in a row, the Clippers seem to be coming together at the right time. They’ve battled injuries throughout their entire lineup all season long but are now healthy and playing outstanding basketball. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, who have both missed 21 games this season, are finally in the starting lineup at the same time. Paul’s and Griffin’s presence has been a huge part of the Clippers recent success.

The healthy and rolling Clippers ball club will be at home in the Staples Center tonight to face the Sacramento Kings. The Kings have nothing left to play for this season, which would probably mean they’re due for a letdown. More times than not, though, the teams with nothing left to play for in sports are the most dangerous.

The Kings can spoil the Clippers’ hopes of clinching home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Clippers coach Doc Rivers is aware of this, however, and has no plans of resting Paul, Griffin, or the rest of the Clippers starters.

The Utah Jazz (50-31) can only watch and hope the Kings defeat the Clippers (50-31) in their final game of the season. No matter what happens, though, the Jazz and Clippers will be facing each other in the first round of the 2017 postseason. The Jazz and Clippers have contrasting styles so their playoff matchup will definitely be something to watch.