2014 NBA Playoff Odds and Predictions: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference Semifinals Picks

2014 NBA Playoff Odds and Predictions: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference Semifinals Picks: It wasn’t easy for either side, but after both teams survived Game 7s on their home courts, the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will meet in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs. The series will feature two of the top-five scoring offenses in the NBA, and it will also feature plenty of star power. From Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, both sides have enough firepower to make this a high-scoring, up-tempo series.

Amid the distractions caused by the Donald Sterling incident, the Clippers found a way to stay focused and out-gun the Golden State Warriors in a back-and-forth series. Paul was his typically consistent self at the point guard spot, and Griffin and DeAndre Jordan continued to establish themselves as one of the most powerful frontcourt tandems in the NBA. While scoring points wasn’t an issue for the Clippers in the first round and hasn’t been an issue all year, getting stops on the defensive end has been a different story. Los Angeles offered little to no resistance at times in the first round, outlasting the Warriors in a 126-121 shootout in Game 7.

The Thunder got all they could handle in the first round from the Memphis Grizzlies as their normally high-powered offense struggled against Memphis’ physical defense. However, Durant and company got the job done when it counted beating the Grizzlies in Memphis in Game 6 and dominating the shorthanded Grizzlies in Game 7 with a 120-point explosion. While it was far from pretty, Durant was able to put the Thunder on his back when it mattered most, showing the form that will earn him MVP honors in the coming days.

The Clippers Win If:

For the Clippers to win this series, they have to take advantage of their scoring depth, especially in the frontcourt. While Los Angeles doesn’t have a player that can cover Durant or match his scoring head to head, they do have more reliable scoring options than Oklahoma City does. From Paul, Griffin and Jordan to role players like Jamal Crawford, J.J. Redick and Darren Collison, the Clippers have plenty of dangerous weapons. The key for Los Angeles will be remaining balanced on offense and using its multitude of weapons to keep pace with and eventually outlast Oklahoma City’s tandem of Durant and Westbrook. Defensively, the Clippers have to stay out of foul trouble and take care of business on the glass to make sure that the Thunder don’t get any extra offensive possessions.

The Thunder Win If:

If the Thunder are going to win the series, they need Durant to continue to be aggressive and demand the ball. While there is no doubt that Westbrook is also an explosive scorer, there is also no doubt that the Thunder offense runs smoother when Durant is the top dog and Westbrook is picking his spots and providing a counterpunch. Defensively, Oklahoma City needs to focus on slowing down and wearing down Paul. While the Clippers have plenty of offensive weapons, Paul is the engine that makes it all go. If the Thunder can make life difficult for Paul, they can disrupt the Los Angeles offense just enough to have an edge.

Bottom Line:

While the Thunder were pushed to the brink of elimination by the Grizzlies, the Clippers don’t have the same type of intense defense. In fact, Los Angeles’ defense has been average at best this year. Now, the Clippers are going to have to try to stop the best offensive weapon in the NBA and arguably the best offensive duo. Granted, the Clippers have a powerful offense in their own right, but consistently outscoring Oklahoma City is a lot easier said than done. Los Angeles isn’t going to be able to suddenly develop a stingy defense so the Clippers are left with no choice but to try to beat the Thunder at their own up-tempo game. With Durant and Westbrook leading the way, that isn’t going to happen.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder Win in 6 Games

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