Last week we took a look at the probable post-season contenders in the Eastern Conference. This time, let’s move over to the West.
GOLDEN STATE (1) vs LA CLIPPERS (8) – We all know the demolition crew the Warriors have and their first round assignment will most likely end in a 4-game sweep. The Clippers have the league’s leading scorer off the bench and the team’s top scorer in Lou Williams. They have a promising rookie point guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a decent frontline of Danilo Gallinari, Ivica Zubac, JaMychal Green and Montrezl Harrell. Doc Rivers, recently linked to talks of a Laker transfer, is a great coach but he doesn’t have enough material to stop a Warrior charge. He said he’s going nowhere and dropped the issue. GSW in 4 games.
DENVER (2) vs UTAH (7) – After six years, the Nuggets officially are in the playoffs. Sadly, after a major hip injury, Isaiah Thomas is nothing but a footnote to his glory days with the Boston Celtics. This matchup is about even. The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. Six other players average double figures and three others have a combined scoring average of 8.5ppg. The Jazz have the advantage in the backcourt with the prolific Donovan Mitchell, Ricky Rubio, Alec Burks, Dante Exum and the ever reliable Kyle Korver. I’ll go for Utah in 7 games.
HOUSTON (3) vs OKLAHOMA (6) – The Rockets are led by the league’s first player to score at least 30 points against all 29 other teams in a single season. The bearded one, also known as James Harden leads the NBA in scoring with 35.9ppg and he gets into a shootout with the league’s second highest scorer in Paul George with 28.3 points. The shooting stars get their open looks from their elite point guards in Chris Paul and league leading assist man Russell Westbrook with 10.5 dimes a game. A fast-paced and high scoring game can be expected. The balance of power depends on the frontline. Whoever controls the paint and the boards will prevail and the Rockets have the edge. Houston in 6 games.
PORTLAND (4) vs SAN ANTONIO (5) – Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are the heart and soul of the Blazers, with a combined per game average of 47.5 points. McCollum recently had knee issues but he would be ready when the post season comes. They have decent frontline anchored by Jusuf Norkic, Al Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard and an improved Zach Collins. The Spurs as of this writing are on a 9-game winning run starring DeMar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The team lacks depth in the 4 spot with Pau Gasol’s migration to the East and this is where Jakob Poeltl will be of maximum use when Aldridge takes a breather. Coach Greg Popovich can always depend Rudy Gay, Bryn Forbes, Marco Belinelli, Derrick White and Patty Mills who all average in double figures. San Antonio will advance in six games.
These are my playoff predictions and of course, things can still go either way. Let’s just see what happens in the middle of April when the final seeding is settled.