Fansided

Each NBA team’s 2020 New Year’s resolution

By Gerald Bourguet

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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LA Clippers: Secure a top-3 seed

Nobody likes load management, but Kawhi Leonard‘s eye-opening playoff run with the Raptors at least made it defensible as a necessary evil, especially for players still recovering from damaging injuries. The LA Clippers have certainly taken notice, regularly resting their stars in order to preserve them for what they hope will be an extended run into May and June.

While it may be hard to intrigue the average fan on the nights Kawhi or Paul George are resting, it makes perfect sense for a loaded, deep team like the Clippers. Their aspirations are higher than just regular season success, and with their chief focus being the playoffs, they feel they have the talent to advance no matter the matchup. Chasing the 1-seed isn’t and shouldn’t be their top priority.

However, home-court advantage should not be taken lightly with so many aspiring contenders out West, so the Clippers need to strike the right balance between securing favorable playoff matchups and keeping guys well-rested for the long haul. To that end, targeting a top-three seed feels like the most appropriate goal.

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