Los Angeles Clippers Tie Buffalo Braves For Best Start In Franchise History

Feb 12 4:00a by Eric Stephen

The Los Angeles Clippers headed out on their Grammy road trip knowing their six games away from home would be a tough test. So far, the Clips have passed with flying colors with four wins in five games, the latest a 111-86 drubbing of the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. The win put the Clippers at 17-8, which tied a 37-year old record for the best start in franchise history.

Clippers Over .500 After 25 Games, Franchise History
Year	Location	25 Games	Final Record	Playoffs
2011-2012	Los Angeles	17-8	TBD	TBD
1974-1975	Buffalo	17-8	49-33	Yes
2005-2006	Los Angeles	15-10	47-35	Yes
1991-1992	Los Angeles	14-11	45-37	Yes
1992-1993	Los Angeles	14-11	41-41	Yes
2001-2002	Los Angeles	14-11	39-43	No
1975-1976	Buffalo	13-12	46-36	Yes
Source: Basketball-Reference.com

That 1974-1975 Buffalo Braves team began their season 17-8, then won their next four games to begin 21-8. They were led by a 23-year old Bob McAdoo, at the peak of his powers in a season in which he would average 34.5 points and 14.1 rebounds per game and be named the NBA Most Valuable Player. McAdoo in 1975 became the first Buffalo Brave to start an All-Star game, while this Clippers team features Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the first two All-Star starters for the franchise since the move to Los Angeles in 1984.

The 1974-1975 Braves won 49 games that year, the most ever in franchise history. To top that .598 winning percentage in this lockout-shortened 66-game season, the Clippers would need to win at least 40 games. That would mean a 23-18 finish to the year, which dare I say sounds like a given for the Clippers.

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