It’s NBA Playoffs time! That season sure flew by, didn’t it? Oh yeah, I forgot that the owners were douchebags and canceled part of it. Today we cover the Western Conference first-round matchups, including what should be the best series in the first round: Clippers-Grizzlies. If you missed yesterday’s Eastern Conference preview, click here.
1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Utah Jazz
Jon: The Spurs have taken six of the last seven, and are coming off another 50-win year despite the 66-game season. Tony Parker is playing some of the best ball of his career, and Ginobili and Duncan seem to be relatively healthy. The addition of Kawai Leonard has given them a versatile defender to replace Bruce Bowen from the glory days, and coach Pop seems as sharp as ever pushing buttons from the sideline. Utah has some nice pieces, and it will be Al Jefferson's first playoff series ever, but they just don't pack enough punch to take down the top seed in the West.
Spurs win, 4-1.
Anthony: Utah will definitely be a threat in the future, but I don’t think they have enough experience right now to stop the Spurs over seven games. Ginobili’s health, as always, is a key here, and as long as San Antonio doesn’t suffer any major injuries, they should dispatch the Jazz relatively easily.
Spurs win, 4-1.
2. OKC Thunder vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks
Jon: It's hard to ever count Dallas out of a series, especially before it starts, but the Thunder have taken that step this year and a first round loss just isn't going to happen. From a matchup standpoint, this doesn't look good for Dallas, whose slow-footed guards will have a tough time staying in front of the explosive Russell Westbrook. Serge Ibaka has become one of the premier rim protectors in all of basketball, and I still haven't mentioned Kevin Durant. So I will now. And they also have Kevin Durant. The Thunder are too quick, young and athletic for the aging Mavs.
Thunder win, 4-1.
Anthony: Dirk Nowitzki admitted that he wasn’t ready for the lockout-shortened season, and the rest of the Mavs followed suit this season. After spending more than a decade fighting to win a championship, the veteran Mavs actually enjoyed the offseason, didn’t worry too much about getting in shape, and scraped by on their way to seventh place in the West. The Thunder, meanwhile, continued to develop their killer instincts, and while I think Russell Westbrook will shoot them out of several games this postseason, OKC will beat the Mavs here.
Thunder win, 4-2.
3. LA Lakers vs. 6. Denver Nuggets
Jon: The Lakers are a championship-caliber team whether their record reflects it or not. The Nuggets are not. They remain a great story and an easy group to root for, but if you're counting on JaVale Mcgee for anything, better yet anchoring an interior defense that's going against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, you're in trouble. The suspension of World Peace will not affect this series, while the absence of Wilson Chandler's versatility and athleticism could have been helpful for containing Kobe. With Ramon Sessions giving LA a legitimate facilitator, the Lakers could be a darkhorse, if that's possible, to emerge from the West. Lakers in five.
Lakers win, 4-1.
Anthony: Prepare yourselves for the JaVale McGee playoff experience. The Nuggets’ coaching advantage is pretty much the only checkmark they have in this series, and that won’t be enough to stop the Lakers. Can you imagine Kobe losing to the Nuggets in the first round? Neither can I. I think that the Nuggets could actually steal a couple games at home because of their youth, even without Metta World Peace the Lakers shouldn’t have too many problems showing Denver the exit.
Lakers win, 4-2.
4. LA Clippers vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies
Jon: This might be the most exciting first round matchup in the West. Key to the series though is Zach Randolph. After breaking out in the playoffs last year, Z-Bo struggled with injuries and consistency in this weird, lockout season. But if Randolph can match Blake Griffin's production, and Conley can knock down some shots, the Grizzlies have a strong chance at making this one go the distance. The Clippers are really missing that third scorer who can create his own offense, unless you count Nick Young, where as the Grizzlies can compliment Rudy Gay and Z-Bo with Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and OJ Mayo. I like the upset here.
Grizzlies win, 4-3.
Anthony: EVERYONE seems to be jumping on the Grizzlies to win this series, and I agree that it’s easily the juiciest matchup in the first round. The Griz are a tough, complete team, and coach Lionel Hollins is so much better than Vinny Del Negro that it’s almost unfair. There should be some sort of Del Negro handicap for the Clippers.
That said, I think the Clippers will be able to speed up the game and allow Chris Paul to take over. Tony Allen might guard him, but I still think the combo of CP3 and Blake Griffin is better than anything the Grizzlies have. I’m already regretting this choice… but the Clips for the win.
Clippers win, 4-3.
What do you think? Who’s got the advantage, the Grizzlies or the Clippers? Let us know in the comments below!
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Follow Jonathan Wasserman on Twitter: @JonathanWass
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