Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2018 0:18:51 GMT 8
Playoff Prediction: West
(1) Los Angeles Lakers 58-24 vs (8) Golden State Warriors 38-44
It's the best team in the league versus the only team who made the playoffs not having a .500 record. There's so much bad blood that people think it will be an ugly series. Their season series is 2-2 with both teams winning one at home but the Lakers two losses came when Anthony Davis was injured. The revamped line-up of the Warriors wasn't able to get one when AD returned from his injury.
Key match-up: Anthony Davis vs Nikola Jokic
Both players are crucial to their team. The Lakers took off when AD returned from his injury and grabbed the home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, the acquisition of the Joker made the Warriors a playoff team after starting the season very slow and would want to make things interesting. However, AD is a champion, a Finals MVP. This is Jokic's first post-season action. AD
It will be an interesting match-up as the Warriors seems to cover the Lakers with Booker, Dragic, Adams and Gallo going up against George, Ball, Ibaka and Mirotic. Will the Lakers superstars AD and PG13 beat the upstart Warriors? Yes. Lakers in five.
(2) Utah Jazz 50-32 vs (7) Los Angeles Clippers 45-37
If there's a high seed upset, it looks like this is it. Why? For all jumping high on Joel Embiid's train and the Utah Jazz getting the second best seed in the West, he'll be match-up against Al Horford. For all Donovan Mitchell's ascension, there's Chris Paul. While they have Jusuf Nurkic, the Clippers have Paul Millsap. The Clippers Big Three looks evenly matched - even better - than the Jazz's.
The Clippers are a three-time playoff time whereas the Jazz made their first post-season. Likewise, they were 2-1 in their regular season match-up. Experience looks to be on the Clippers side this without having a GM for the season. The public sentiment is with Utah, but the private money are with the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers in six.
(3) Portland Trailblazers 50-32 vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves 45-37
On paper, the Blazers looks like the superior team. But then, we can't make-up what to do with the Timberwolves. Afterall, they make the post-season without any significant signings, draft picks, trades or whatever. Basically, they were the surprise playoff team this year.
The Blazers have John Wall and he'll be up against.. Jeremy Lin? McCollum will be defended by.. Terrence Ross? At least Derrick Favors will match-up against Myles Turner.
No one knows what to make of this match-up but we'll give it to the Wolves. Portland Trailblazers in six.
(4) Phoenix Suns 50-32 vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies 45-37
The trade between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers balanced the Suns as they were threatening not to make the playoffs prior to doing the trade. Although losing Eric Gordon, it freed up Kyrie Irving's creativity; Dwyane Wade and Patty Mills focusing on scoring. They ended the season five games better than the Grizzlies to take home-court advantage, that means something, right?
The Grizzlies are stacked, looks dangerous. But for some reason, they couldn't get 50 wins. Are they having chemistry problems? Afterall, they're the best team in the West last year, Western Conference Champs, NBA Finalist. But the player that led them - James Harden - was swapped for Kevin Durant.
The Grizzlies on paper are better, period. But, we're betting Kyrie Irving will lead the Suns against them. This is the pick when you're rooting for the underdog that doesn't explain anything aside from they're supposed to do well as they have a better record.
Perhaps we don't believe KD leading this team. Oladipo not getting along with KD. Ditto with Porzingis, Kanter, Randle and Brown. The obvious talent is there but we don't see them meshing. At least not of advancing, even beating a Kyrie, Wade and Capela team.
Phoenix Suns in seven.
Oklahoma City Thunder