On the surface, it seems like playing the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs would be an unnecessarily difficult matchup for the Clippers. The Lakers are the defending champs, and they have two players who are All-Stars on their worst days in Anthony Davis and LeBron James, and all-NBA or even MVP-type players at their best.
But the Clippers just swept the Lakers and held at least 20-point leads in all three games. Admittedly, James was absent for two games and Davis for almost a full two. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why the Clippers should feel comfortable about a potential meeting with the Lakers, despite the high level of talent.