The Clippers played arguably the toughest week of their schedule — 5 in 7 with a cross-country trip and across through the border — at their most depleted and still managed to win two of five, even breaking through to collect their first victory on the second night of a back-to-back.
That means the team is still clinging to a winning record, staying above the fray in a crowded Western Conference play-in race. Expectations are currently modest, but the Clippers are exceeding them, and not too many other teams around the league can say the same. That’s why a 2-2 week still has the Clippers rising in the power rankings.