NBA Western Conference, Playoff Preview by Harout
Western Conference, Playoff Preview:
(1) San Antonio Spurs VS. Dallas Mavericks (8)
The West is going to be competitive this year. The Spurs are entering the playoffs with the best record in the league. The Mavericks made a good run towards the end of the season, and have definitely earned a position here in the 2014 postseason. Regardless of who the spurs would have played, the mavericks or the grizzlies, they would be a huge favorite to win the series. They match-up well with either of these two teams, and swept both of them in the season series, going 8-0. However, I do think the Mavs are more than capable to win a game or two in this series. But then again, that won’t be enough. 17 consecutive years in the playoffs, 17 consecutive seasons with a .600 or better winning percentage, a league-best 62 wins, the only team ranked in the top five in offense and defense, and a 19-game winning streak that covered March. Just when you think Gregg Popovich can’t out-Popovich himself, he goes and decides to play a grand total of zero players more than 30 minutes per game for the season. There is domination, and then there is San Antonio. There’s just not much margin for upset when a one-sided team lines up to face one so commanding on both ends of the floor. This should be a fun series all the same, just not one that the Mavs should be expected to win. I have the spurs to win this one in 5 games.
**I also have them to win the Championship @ 5.100
(4) Houston Rockets VS. Portland Trailblazers (5)
This should be a very exciting series, and could very well be a 7 game series. Both teams had a very good season, and the Portland Trailblazers surprised most this season. The rockets were quite impressive as well, with the new addition of Lin and Howard, you would think that it would take sometime to mesh before achieving any type of success, but that has not been the case. The west has been very competitive this year, and it’s going to be very interesting to see how this one goes, but I am giving the slight edge to the rockets. Elite offense requires success behind the arc, at the rim and at the foul line, and the Rockets cover all of those bases better than the Blazers. During the postseason chess match, Houston looks to possess a deeper pool of offensive counters, and its primary options, Harden and Howard, should be the two best players on the court. Throw in Portland’s defense (which has been inconsistent and struggled to slow the Rocket’s stars in the season), and Houston’s home court advantage, and the Rockets should take down a very competitive series. Rockets in 7.
(3) Los Angeles Clippers VS. Golden State Warriors (6)
This could be the most entertaining of the eight first-round series. Its a match-up of two, very energetic and offensive minded teams. Last year the Warriors managed to upset the 3rd seeded Denver Nuggets, but they are facing a team much richer in talent this year to repeat the first round upset. Sure, this series does have the potential to go to 7 games, but if the Clippers play to their expectations, there is no reason why it would be necessary for that many games to be played. There is a lot of people who love the drama, and would want to see the Warriors outlast the Clippers in this one, but I do not see it happening. With Bogut out in this series, there is a huge size advantage for Griffin and Jordan, and the Warriors perimeter play won’t be enough to win 4 games. Maybe 2, but I have the Clippers winning this one in 6.
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder VS. Memphis Grizzlies (7)
The Memphis Grizzlies secured a match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs, but now the team will have to prepare for one of their biggest threats to making a surprise run at an NBA championship. The thunder are one of the best teams in the league, and they are expected to make a deep run in this 2014 postseason. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are two of some of the best players in the game, plain and simple. It is definitely going to be a challenge to contain these two players no matter who you throw at them. The thunder won the season series, 3-1 this year, and they look to continue their solid play at home. They went 23-3 against western conference opponents at home, and two of those wins were against the Grizzlies. The thunder are more than capable of stealing one on the road, so it could end the Grizzlies post season early. I have the thunder winning this one in 5, but it could go up to the 7 if the Thunder don’t steal one on the road early, so they must earn it if they want it.
That concludes my analyses for the first round of the NBA Playoffs. I will be releasing my plays tomorrow morning for all series across the board, and explain why I will be using specific betting styles on each of the different matchups. I hope that all of you will beenfit this post season, so lets take our knowledge and Run-Up our bankrolls through our investments in the 2014 NBA playoffs; let’s put the “cherry” on the sundae.
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