Predictions: West First Round
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder v (8) Houston Rockets (4) LA Clippers v (5) Memphis Grizzlies (3) Denver Nuggets v (6) Golden State Warriors (2) San Antonio Spurs v (7) LA Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets The NBA Playoffs always benefit from storylines riding into their games. Whether its teams meeting again after facing each other last year or the classic underdog fighting the odds, we all love a story to come along with sporting games. Here we have James Harden meeting his previous team in the first round as the Rockets have the unfortunate task of facing the Thunder. I wouldnt expect a lot of drama in this series as the Thunder have experience, speed and size to their advantage. The Rockets may surprise them by cutting a game of two close, but for the most part things should be easy for the Thunder. No-one on the Rockets can guard Durant for a full series and all they need is Russell Westbrook or Serge Ibaka to have a big game to really make things out of hand.
Result: Thunder win 4-1
San Antonio Spurs v LA Lakers This almost became a very interesting matchup. San Antonio have healed up but cut things too close and lost the first seed to the Thunder. They have problems with size matchups and the Lakers have Dwight Howard, one of the best bigs in the league. The Lakers have recently beat the Spurs too, meaning an upset couldve been in the works. If only Kobe Bryant wasnt lost for the playoffs. The Lakers have struggled to consistently come together through the season and I dont see them pulling things together this quickly when facing a Spurs team with so much experience as well as season-long stability on both offense and defence. The Lakers will put up a fight through Howard, but ultimately fall.
Result: Spurs win 4-2
Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors This is going to be a shootout. Two very similar teams meet in a matchup that is going to be all about offense. I would put money on no team scoring less than a hundred points in each meeting and we could be set for a couple of wild finishes. Stephen Curry will likely have a few massive performances too and will be the go-to guy in any close finished, but Denver will pull out in what should be a thriller. They look to be the deeper team, have a legendary coach in George Karl and Denvers altitude is always a bigger challenge than other road games for visitors. Still, it should be very close.
Result: Nuggets win 4-3
LA Clippers v Memphis Grizzlies Another great story as these two teams met in the first round last year in a great, seven game series seeing the Clippers emerge. I see a very similar matchup coming up with both teams practically the same as last year. The Grizzlies are this time without Rudy Gay, but Tayshaun Prince tightens up an already great defence which should be great to see against the Clippers high flying Blake Griffen and DeAndre Jordan. Chris Paul may prove to be the deciding factor, being the leagues best point guard and can dictate the flow of the game. This series will be about who can adapt the best, as the Clippers prefer up tempo while the Grizzlies will look for strong defence and post-play. Even with the Clippers improved defence and experience from last year, I give the advantage to Memphis in another series that will likely have a few tight finishes. Its the ability for Memphis to rely on either Randolph or Gasol down low as well as having a range of options to consistently well-defend Chris Paul that will give them the edge.
Result: Grizzlies win 4-2 Click next for the West Semi-Finals Predictions...