Vegas Over/Under: 43.5
The Record Projection: 42-40 of fromal The Bet: Avoid but lean under
The way you feel about this over/under probably depends on one crucial question: How easy is replacement Chris Paul?
The Los Angeles Clippers did a fantastic job reloading after learning that Paul desired a death to the Houston Rockets. Not only did they manage to pry some assets away from his new home in a trade after he opted in, but they also convinced Blake Griffin into re-sign before adding Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic into the fold.
This is a talented roster with upside and ability at just about every position. It’s far deeper than it has been in previous decades, however head coach Doc Rivers surely didn’t want to acquire depth at the expense of his team’s best player.
And that’s the problem.
Paul was not only the engine which made the Clippers run; he essentially was that the Clippers.
Patrick Beverley and Teodosic ought to be solid replacements in the 1, but they can’t replicate his ability to run the offense perfectly.
Whether Paul was calling his own band or setting up teammates, he controlled the flow of the game in addition to anyone. It’s the reason LAC was a shocking 19.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the ground in 2016-17, as well as the reason he finished No. 2 overall in ESPN.com’s real plus/minus, behind only LeBron James.
His work simply can’t be replicated.
Read more: sportslivestream-tv.com