The Los Angeles Clippers are peaking at the right time, as they have won 11 of their last 13 games after Saturday evening's home victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Clippers have gotten a surge in production from Kawhi Leonard as of late, and James Harden has continued to be a steady guiding force for the team on the offensive end of the floor.

After L.A.'s win on Saturday night, Harden got 100% real on how this year's team differs from last year's, which got eliminated by the Mavericks in six games in their first-round series.

“It’s just different. Different team … We got guys that know their role and know what they’re supposed to be doing consistently on a night-to-night basis. From the beginning of the season. It’s just a different team,” said Harden.

Harden then was asked to specify what exactly made the team different.

“Personnel. You guys know. You know the players we had last year.”

The most notable departures for the Clippers this past offseason were Paul George (now with the Philadelphia 76ers) and Russell Westbrook (now with the Denver Nuggets), each of whom struggled in the team's series against Dallas.

It would certainly appear possible that Harden was taking a subtle jab at the duo with these comments.

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James Harden leads a dangerous Clippers squad

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

 

While the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets have understandably hogged most of the headlines in the Western Conference as the playoffs approach, the Clippers have quietly been playing some of the best basketball of any team in the league over the last month, giving themselves a legitimate chance to avoid the NBA's play-in tournament and perhaps even host a first-round series if things break their way.

Of course, Harden has some playoff demons of his own to overcome, which once again manifested during their loss to the Mavericks last season, and Leonard's health is always a major wild card around this team of the year.

However, if things go according to plan, this Clippers squad could be dangerous in the postseason.