The NBA Playoffs are finally here. In the Western Conference, we have two teams having some of the greatest seasons ever in the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors broke the record for most wins in a season and are looking to capitalize with their second consecutive NBA Championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers are looking to get in the way of ruining history for the Spurs and Grizzlies. Three writers from the LWOS Basketball Department gave their takes and predictions on who will come out of the first round.
Western Conference First Round Preview and Predictions
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Houston Rockets
Matthew Cardenas: We have a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, but it is completely different this year. Houston had a very disappointing season but managed to sneak in on the last day of the regular season. All year, they have struggled with consistency. The most intriguing match-up to watch will be between James Harden and Klay Thompson. If the Rockets want any chance of putting up a fight, they need to get Dwight Howard involved consistently. Having a legitimate big man has been a key to beating the Warriors. In the end, the Warriors have had the Rockets number since the Conference Finals match-up. The Warriors are on a mission to have the greatest season ever. But, I don’t think it’ll be as easy as most people are making it out to be. Warriors in 6.
Daniel Scheer: These two teams meet once again in the playoffs after the Warriors dismantled the Rockets in five games in last year’s Western Conference Finals. These two teams had completely different seasons. The Dubs won a league record 73 games this year, while the Rockets, even though they made the playoffs, had a regular season to forget finishing 41-41 while coming eighth in the Western Conference. Many people thought this would be the Western Conference Finals once again, but that is not the case. James Harden will do everything he can to pull off the improbable upset but it will more than likely not work out. Steph Curry will lead his to an easy first round win. Warriors in 4.
Adam Joseph: Warriors: Off. Rating 112.5 (1st), Def. Rating 100.9 (5th)
Rockets: Off. Rating 105.5 (8th), Def. Rating 105.6 (20th)
Certainly the most interesting first round match-up. These two teams do not like each other, and the battle between Klay Thompson and James Harden will be fascinating to watch. Houston cannot guard anyone though, and have struggled to put 48 solid defensive and offensive minutes together all season. It’ll be fun to watch, but it’s likely to end quickly with Steph Curry set to light up the postseason again this year. Warriors in 4.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies
Matthew Cardenas: The Grizzlies are very lucky to be in the playoffs. They have dealt with major injuries all season and are struggling. Half of the Grizzlies playoff roster spent the majority of their season in the D-League. Even if relatively healthy, they would not poise much of a threat to the Spurs. They are the far superior team and are going to end this series quickly. This one might get ugly. Spurs in 4.
Daniel Scheer: This series might be the most lopsided match-up in NBA playoff history. The Spurs are are going into the playoffs as the second best team in the NBA (behind the Warriors) after coming off a season where they won 40 home games. Meanwhile, Memphis is going into the playoffs with injuries to almost every key player on their roster. By the looks of it, they will enter the playoffs with guys like Jordan Farmer, Chris Anderson and P.J Hairston. Yikes. Don’t look for them to make any noise in the playoffs this year. San Antonio goes on to destroy them. Spurs in 4.
Adam Joseph: Spurs: Off. Rating 108.4 (3rd), Def. Rating 96.6 (1st)
Grizzlies: Off. Rating 102.6 (21st), Def. Rating 105.4 (19th)
Dave Joerger has done a phenomenal job getting the corpses of the Grizzlies into the Playoffs, using a record amount of players in their quest for the postseason. But they’ll the fit and firing Spurs in the first round. We all know how this ends. It would take some serious magic for the Grizzlies to win one game, let alone four. RIP Grit ‘n’ Grind. Spurs in 4.
(3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks
Matthew Cardenas: This series is going to end rather quickly as well. The Mavericks are going into the Playoffs with a hobbling Deron Williams and Chandler Parsons is already out for the season. These two have been major factors to the offense for the Mavericks. Russell Westbrook is going to have a field day against J.J. Barea. Rick Carlisle will do everything as a coach to keep the Mavericks competitive throughout the series, but the duo of Westbrook and Kevin Durant will simply be too much. Thunder in 5.
Daniel Scheer: With free agency coming up, this might be the most important playoff run in OKC’s history. With no one really knowing where Durant ends up, a deep playoff run may be what it takes to keep the generational superstar in Oklahoma City. On the Mavericks side of things, this very may well be Dirk Nowitzki’s last chance at a second NBA championship with his career coming to an end. As much as a feel-good story it would be to see Dirk go out on top, don’t expect it to happen this year, as OKC just has too much star power with the likes of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant leading the way. Thunder in 5.
Adam Joseph: Thunder: Off. Rating 109.9 (2nd), Def. Rating 103.0 (12th)
Mavericks: Off. Rating (104.8) (10th), Def. Rating 104.3 (16th)
Rick Carlisle has worked magic with a roster that the majority of is veterans and lottery talent, but Dirk Nowitzki and their core of veterans have led them to the Playoffs despite many preseason doubts. Their defense will need to step up to handle the incredible Thunder juggernaut. Oklahoma City’s stars will be too much for them though. They swept the season series, expect a gentleman’s sweep this time around. Never underestimate Nowitzki and Carlisle’s brilliance though. Thunder in 5.
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
Matthew Cardenas: I can’t wait for this series. Before the season, the Blazers were expected to be lottery bound. Instead, they had a remarkable season after losing four of five starters. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have become one of the best backcourts in the league. How can you not be excited to watch Chris Paul and Lillard go at it? The Clippers have Blake Griffin back and are now at full strength for their postseason run. The Blazers are young and are going to give the Clippers everything they have. The youth is going to hurt them in the end. But if you enjoy shootouts in the NBA, this is series to watch. Clippers in 6.
Daniel Scheer: If someone told you that the Trail Blazers would not only make the playoffs but also be the fifth seed, you would think they would be out of their mind. Most people thought they would be fighting for a high draft pick. If you’re a person who loves offense, this series is the series for you. It’s very possible that this series will the most exciting, fast paced and highest scoring series in the first round. With Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin going up and down the court, this series will be as exciting as they come. One day in the near future the Trail Blazers will be a force to be reckoned with and be a championship contender. The Trail Blazers will give the Clippers all they can handle but right now it doesn’t look like they will be able to pull off the upset against the number four seed Clippers. Clippers in 6.
Adam Joseph: Clippers: Off. Rating 106.5 (6th), Def. Rating 100.9 (6th)
Blazers: Off. Rating 106.1 (7th), Def. Rating 105.6 (21st)
The Blazers might be the story of the season, with a team as good as last season despite losing four key starters including their franchise player. With the return of Blake Griffin for the Clippers though they will up be against it, and Griffin’s form is the x-factor for Los Angeles now and through the entire Playoffs. Anything is possible for Portland though, as they’ve proven all season long. Clippers in 7.
