Predictions: West Semi-Finals
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder v (5) Memphis Grizzlies (2) San Antonio Spurs v (3) Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder v Memphis Grizzlies Memphis will have the upper hand again in the size department, but the Thunder bigs are more defensively minded than the Clippers, so expect some great battles between Ibaka and Randolph when the paces slows down. Memphis also has the biggest potential to shut-down (if thats even possible) Kevin Durant. Tayshaun Prince isnt the leagues best lock-down defender but hes certainly up there, is versatile, athletic and has tough-as-nails experience from his days playing in Detroit. Russell Westbrook needs to be able to handle Memphis Tony Allen and keep his cool, given his past experience of abandoning ball distribution for jump shots. The Thunder should pull this one out, though theyll have to depend on their bench more this time and Durant can always, even when well defended, be counted on for points come crunch time.
Result: Thunder win 4-2
San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets This is a classic matchup of the young versus the old. The Spurs big three have been the centre piece of three of their championships and are always a challenge but Denver definitely has the speed advantage. The Spurs can play up-tempo when needed, but I dont see them able to keep it up for a series against the Nuggets when Denver can get a big performance from a variety of people on any given night. Injuries will come into play too and if the Spurs lose Ginobili, Parker or Duncan then this series will be shorter, but Im going to give Denver the upset here. The Nuggets have been more consistent and played better defensively than many of the typical fast paced, breakout teams of the past and will steal a trip to the conference finals.
Result: Nuggets win 4-2 And finally, our predictions for the West Finals...