NBA Playoffs 2019: Power ranking the first-round matchups

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on January 29, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4 of 9

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 7: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots corner three over Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers on April 7, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers enter their series against the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors as the biggest first-round underdog in 30 years, according to ESPN.com’s David Purdum.

That speaks volumes about how competitive oddsmakers expect this series to be.

The Clippers deserve a tremendous amount of credit for making it this far. They entered the year with the fifth-lowest over/under in the Western Conference (36.5 wins), but they managed to outperform expectations more than all but two other teams (the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings).

Even after shipping star forward Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline, the Clippers managed to stay in the playoff mix thanks to a well-rounded output from the likes of Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell and rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Fellow rookie Landry Shamet, who the Clippers got as part of the return for Harris, began bombing away from deep with aplomb, shooting 45.0 percent on 6.0 long-range attempts per game.

None of it is likely to matter against the Warriors, who have the top-end talent to turn this into a four-game sweep.

If the ankle sprain Stephen Curry suffered toward the regular season hobbles him, the Clippers may be able to steal a game or two from the Dubs. Otherwise, Golden State will use this series as a tune-up for a likely second-round clash with the Houston Rockets, who took the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals last season.

Even if this series doesn’t last long, DeMarcus Cousins will be making his playoff debut. That’s reason enough to tune in for at least a game or two.

Home/NBA