– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:39 pm
2016 NBA FUTURES – SERIES PICKS
Looking for Trail Blazers vs. Clippers free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NBA Futures. This is an awfully interesting series on paper. The 4th seed Clippers played very well this season, finishing with the league’s 6th best record despite being without their star Blake Griffin for much of the year.
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NBA Betting – Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers First Round Series Preview and Picks
Now healthy, they come into this series as the favourite led by one of the best trios anywhere in the league in Paul, Griffin and Jordan.
On the other side, the Blazers entered the season with the league’s lowest payroll and fresh wounds after losing their marquee player, LaMarcus Aldridge, to the Spurs.
Needless to say expectations were very low for this squad and they ended up and one of the great surprises of the 2015-2016 season. Their explosive backcourt gives them a chance to win any game.
The Clippers did hold the edge in the regular season series after winning 2 of their 3 meetings.
Let’s break it down.
NBA Championship Lines – 2016 NBA Title Odds from 5Dimes
- Trail Blazers: 175-1 | Western Conference Odds: 70-1
- Clippers: 40-1 | Western Conference Odds: 20-1
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Series Prices
Portland Trail Blazers: +330
Los Angeles Clippers: -400
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers Round 1 Series Schedule
- GAME 1 – Rockets at Warriors, Sun., April 17, 10:30 p.m., TNT
- GAME 2 – Rockets at Warriors, Wed., April 20, 10:30 p.m., TNT
- GAME 3 – Warriors at Rockets, Sat., April 23, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
- GAME 4 – Warriors at Rockets, Mon., April 25, 10:30 p.m., TNT
- GAME 5 (if necessary) – Rockets at Warriors, Wed., April 27, TBD, TBD
- GAME 6 (if necessary) – Warriors at Rockets, Fri., April 29, TBD, TBD
- GAME 7 (if necessary) – Rockets at Warriors, Sun May 1, TBD, TBD
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers Free Series Predictions: Guards
Any discussion about the 2016 Blazers has to begin with this backcourt duo. The pairing of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 45.9 PPG, second only to Curry and Thompson league wide.
Lillard in particular is one of the most dangerous point guards in the league with the ball in his hands. His range in nearly unlimited evidence by him finishing second in the league for shots taken between 25-29 feet from the basket.
Allen Crabbe and Gerald Henderson provide steady two way play off the bench, but they are far from impact players.
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It’s worth noting that Portland’s star guards have struggled against the Clippers this season. Lillard (18.0) and McCollum (15.7) both have scored well below their season averages and neither has managed a Field Goal % above 40% over their 3 meetings this year.
Despite being 30 years old, Chris Paul remains one of the truly great point guards in the league. Paul finished the season with the 4th highest assists per game (10.0) the 3rd highest steal total (2.05) along with a respectable 19.5 points on 46% shooting.
The Clippers also boast excellent long range shooting ability from their 2-guards. Reddick’s 47.5% actually ranks as the highest percentage in the league, among qualified players. Crawford is a two-time 6th man of the year and can provide instant offense when he gets hot.
Verdict: Portland’s starting backcourt is one of the most dangerous unit in the NBA and will be the engine that drives this team. It’s hard to pick against any backcourt with Chris Paul, but the Blazers get a slight edge in this one.
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers Free Series Predictions: Forwards and Center
While the Blazers have truly dominant backcourt, their frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired.
Take your pick: Plumlee, Davis, Vonleh, Aminu, or Harkless. While they all bring something to the table, none of them can create their own shots, so when the Clippers find a way to bottle up Lillard and/or McCollum this team will struggle to score.
The front court is inexperienced with a mere 36 career postseason appearances as a group. This will be a great learning experience for them, but they just aren’t ready for prime time yet.
The Clippers on the other hand boast a group that has a ton of playoff exposure and will be hungry to prove themselves as a true contender in the West.
Blake Griffin is one a dominant offensive force at power forward and DeAndre Jordan was among the leaders in most big man categories: 2nd in rebounding (13.8), 2nd in blocks (2.3) and 1st in field goal percentage (70.3%).
If anything were to happen to these two, the door would be open for an upset. LA has very little depth at PF/C.
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Pierce and Jeff Green offer experience and versatility on the wings although they are merely supporting players within this group.
Verdict: The Clippers have an enormous advantage here in both talent and depth. It’s not even close.
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers Free Series Predictions:
It’s been a great story for the Blazers this season and they should be able to put a scare in the Clippers but there is such a disparity in the front court talent between these two teams I can’t see them overcoming an older and more experienced Clippers team.
Series Pick: The Clippers take the series in 6 games and earn themselves a date with the Warriors.
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