2015 NBA Playoffs: Clippers vs. Spurs Series Preview & Prediction

The Los Angeles Clippers fulfilled expectations again this season, but they need to prove they can carry over their regular season success into the postseason. The defending champion San Antonio Spurs nearly grabbed the No. 2 seed, but fell all the way to No. 6 with a loss to the Pelicans in the regular season finale.

Both sides split the season series 2-2 and closed the season as the two hottest teams in the league. Los Angeles won 14 of their last 15 games, while San Antonio won 14 of their last 16 heading into the postseason.

Projected Starting Lineups

(3) Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)

G Chris Paul – 19.1 ppg, 10.2 apg

G J.J. Redick – 16.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg

F Matt Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg

F Blake Griffin – 21.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg

C DeAndre Jordan – 11.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 2.3 bpg

(6) San Antonio Spurs (55-27)

G Tony Parker - 14.4 ppg, 4.9 apg

G Danny Green – 11.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg

F Kawhi Leonard - 16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 spg

F Tim Duncan - 13.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg

C Tiago Splitter – 8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg

What to watch for:

How will San Antonio handle the Clippers' athleticism?

The Spurs are a very good team, but they're older and don't have a lot of speed or athleticism outside of Kawhi Leonard. San Antonio has had a lot of issues dealing with overly athletic teams throughout the regular season, and the Clippers have more athleticism than anyone. Gregg Popovich's defensive scheme can take away a lot of what Los Angeles does well, but the Clippers do a lot of things the Spurs aren't able to guard.

San Antonio's offensive execution

The Spurs cruised through the playoffs last year because of their ball movement and ability to get good shots every time down the court. Los Angeles is great at protecting the rim, but they aren't great defending on the perimeter, which is where San Antonio likes to attack. If the Spurs are able to exploit that and create a lot of open three-pointers for their shooters, they'll win this series easily.

Prediction: Clippers win 4-3

Every game in this series will be extremely close, but I give the Clippers the edge because of their athleticism and because they'll get Game 7 at home.