Blog entryWestern Conference Playoff Predictions

The playoffs are just from hours away from tipoff, and it’s time to make some predictions. Gaynor’s in charge of the Eastern Conference, and I’ll be breaking down the Western Conference matchups. We want to know who you think is going all the way. Post your picks on the bottom of the blog, and the best ones will be read on Blue Chip talk on Sunday!

WESTERN CONFERENCE – FIRST ROUND
San Antonio vs. Utah: This year, San Antonio gets out of the first round. There were a few teams vying for the 8 spot in the Western Conference, and Utah was able to string together wins in 7 of their last 9. They’ve got some great momentum, they just don’t have the talent or playoff experience to keep up with a San Antonio squad that refuses to lose to an 8 seed in the first round 2 years in a row.
San Antonio wins in 4 games.

Oklahoma City vs. Dallas: There are a lot of really good series in the first round, and this is one of my favorites. Dallas may not have had the best regular season, but they were getting used to a lot of turnover from last year’s championship squad. That being said, they still have their core from last year’s team, with Dirk, The Jet, and Kidd leading the way. They won’t go down without a fight, but OKC is going to take this series. They’re a team on a mission, and how embarrassing would it be for Gaynor’s Western Conference prediction to be eliminated in the first round? Don’t worry Gaynor, it’s not going to happen, yet.
Oklahoma City wins in 6 games.

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver: The Lakers won’t have the Elbowing Lunatic Metta World Peace, but they won’t need him against Denver. The Nuggets are an excellent team, and plenty deep, but they don’t have a game changer. They utilized their deep bench in the abbreviated season to play hard and play an up-tempo style of basketball, and it served them well. This, however, is the playoffs. The Lakers are going to slow things down and dominate the half court.
L.A. Lakers win in 5 games.

Memphis vs. L.A. Clippers: One week the Clippers are making a run at the 3 seed, the next they’ve lost home court advantage altogether, and find themselves in the 5 seed. Even worse, they are about to run into a buzz saw in Memphis. This is, in my opinion, the marquee matchup in the first round. I feel genuinely that the winner of this series is going to make it all the way to the championship round. The Clips are armed with a great mix of youth and veteran leadership, and their bench is deep. That bench needs to shine if they’re going to have a chance in this one. Memphis is built similarly. They’ve got height, they’re balanced, and they have a bench that just may be better than the Clippers. This one goes the distance.
Memphis wins in 7 games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE – SECOND ROUND

San Antonio vs. Memphis: Remember this matchup from last year? It’s going to play out just the same. San Antonio is old, they haven’t changed the squad much from last year, and they don’t hold many advantages against the Grizz. Marc Gasol will dominate down low, O.J. Mayo is going to score boat loads off the bench, and my dark horse to make it to the finals will cruise.
Memphis wins in 6 games.

Oklahoma City vs. L.A. Lakers: Metta World Peace is back just in time! The elbows will fly in this clash for Western Conference dominance. This game will play out similar to the first 3 quarters of their last matchup, with OKC up big. Whether the Lakers can start games off well instead of playing from behind will determine if they can pull off the series upset. I don’t think they will, and the Thunder will deny Kobe a chance at trophy #6.
Oklahoma City wins in 6 games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Oklahoma City vs. Memphis: Oklahoma City beats the Lakers, and Memphis beats San Antonio. This is the official changing of the guard in the West. This matchup will be one for the ages. Young talent, two phenomenal  coaches, and completely different styles. The Grizzlies lean on post play from their big men, while OKC wants to dominate the perimeter and look for scoring out of their back court. Which will prevail? The team with the better plan game to game. It could very well go either way, but I’ve already said it, I’m going with my dark horse. Gasol becomes an “elite” Center in this series.
Memphis wins in 7 games.

NBA FINALS: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat

Gaynor is going to pick the Heat to make it to the Finals, and I agree with him. He’s got the Thunder, but I’m telling you, the Grizz are special. The Heat however, will not be denied 2 years in a row. I picked them to win it all at the very beginning of the season, and I’ve got to stick with that pick. We have not seen LeBron and Co. try their hardest this year, and that’s scary. They are going to cruise through the competition in the East, and will be ready to out run and out play the Grizzlies. The Grizz are a more complete team, but they simply can’t go toe to toe with the likes of James, Wade, and Bosh for an entire series. It will be a lot of fun to watch, and The Big 3 will finally start their run to, how many was it? 7 titles? Alright, we’ll slow down, but they will get #1 this year.
Miami Heat win the NBA Championship in 6 games.