2014 NBA Playoffs Odds and Predictions: Western Conference First-Round Series Predictions: Heading into the 2014 NBA playoffs, you have to feel a little bad for team’s trying to come out of the Western Conference. Compared to the Eastern Conference, the West is absolutely loaded. Heck, the Phoenix Suns missed out on the postseason after finishing ninth in the West, but they would have been the No. 3 seed in the East. On the plus side, the depth in the Western Conference promises to create some exciting matchups, even in the first round. With that in mind, here is a closer look at all four of this year’s first-round playoff matchups in the Western Conference.
No. 1 San Antonio vs. No. 8 Dallas Mavericks
After amassing the best record in the NBA this season, the Spurs were going to be a tough first-round opponent for any team, but they are an absolute nightmare for the Mavericks. Dallas is the worst defensive team in the playoffs, and they are particularly vulnerable on the perimeter where Monta Ellis is usually allowing opponents to blow by him. Meanwhile, Tony Parker causes all kinds of havoc when he is able to consistently get into the lane, and he was a big reason why San Antonio’s offense overwhelmed Dallas in all four meetings during the regular season. The Spurs swept the season series, averaging more than 112 points per game in the process. The Spurs are balanced and deep and a horrible matchup for Dallas. Not even Dirk Nowitzki can save the Mavericks from the inevitable.
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs Win in 4 Games
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies
Last year, the Grizzlies bounced the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, pushing around Oklahoma City and slowing down Kevin Durant. However, Russell Westbrook was sidelined for that series, and that won’t be the case this time around. Westbrook’s presence is crucial because he will be able to speed up the tempo of the games rather than Oklahoma City having to play at Memphis’ grindingly slow pace as it did last postseason. Granted, the Grizzlies are still the same great defensive team that stifled the Thunder last year, and they have gone 33-13 since center Marc Gasol returned from injury. That being said, the Thunder’s biggest weakness this year has been perimeter defense, and no team attempted fewer 3-pointers this year than Memphis. The Grizzlies simply don’t have the perimeter firepower to exploit Oklahoma City’s main weakness, and with Westbrook healthy, Memphis won’t be able to control games with their physical style of play. Durant and company will exorcise last year’s playoff demons.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder Win in 6 Games
No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors
About a week ago, this series seemed destined to be a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair. However, a rib injury to Golden State Andrew Bogut will likely change that in a big way. Yes, the Warriors’ sharpshooting backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is a big reason for the team’s success, but Bogut’s presence in the middle provided a huge boost to the defense. Without him, Golden State is left with defensively-challenged David Lee and the rebuilt knees of the aging Jermaine O’Neal to defend the paint against Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Needless to say, that is a situation that isn’t going to end well, and with Chris Paul running the show for the Clippers, you can guarantee that he will make sure his team exploits the Warriors’ deficiencies inside. Curry and Thompson can maybe shoot Golden State to a win or two at best, but without Bogut, Los Angeles is going to march on.
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers Win in 5 Games
No. 4 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers
This promises to be an entertaining series as two teams with potent offenses clash. On one side, you have LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard providing a potent inside/outside scoring punch for Portland while James Harden and Dwight Howard do the same for Houston. Overall, the Rockets ranked second in the NBA in scoring during the regular season while the Trail Blazers ranked fourth, and while those numbers seem to indicate that this series is up for grabs, Portland’s defensive style is a concern. The Trail Blazers like to put pressure on the perimeter while allowing center Robin Lopez to protect the rim basically on his own. Meanwhile, Harden, Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons are all great at getting into the lane and either getting fouled or creating easy looks for Howard. Not surprisingly, the Rockets exploited Portland’s defensive scheme to the tune of a 3-1 record against the Trail Blazers during the regular season, and asking Portland to suddenly change up what it has been doing all year is unrealistic. Portland will likely be able to hold its own at home, but Houston is going to own the paint and win this series.
Prediction: Houston Rockets Win in 6 Games
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2014 NBA Odds Daily! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN GT Bets Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 100% BONUS upto $500 FREE added to your Player Account Funds. |
Get the 2014 NBA vegas odds on NSAwins.com plus visit for 2014 NBA expert picks and updated 2014 NBA Finals Futures Odds.
