2015 NBA Playoffs Odds, Free Picks & Predictions – Western Conference First-Round Series Predictions: How stacked was the Western Conference this season? Well, the Oklahoma City Thunder missed the playoffs, but they would have been the No. 6 with plenty of breathing room in the East. Not to mention the fact that the San Antonio Spurs went from the No. 2 seed to the No. 6 seed with a loss in the regular-season finale. In other woods, the West was both strong and deep, and whoever is going to emerge from the conference is going to have to earn it. With that in mind, here is a closer look at all four first-round playoff series in the Western Conference.
2015 NBA Playoffs Odds, Free Picks & Expert Predictions: Western Conference Playoffs First-Round Series Predictions
No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 1 Golden State Warriors
Although Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson get a lot of the attention, the Warriors are deep, balanced team. In addition to winning an NBA-best 67 games, Golden State led the league in points per game and field goal percentage while holding opponents to the worst field goal percentage. Granted, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis has had his way with the Warriors, averaging 29.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in two meetings. However, New Orleans point guard Jrue Holiday and forward Ryan Anderson are both returning from injury, and even a great player like Davis isn’t going to beat the NBA’s best team by himself.
Prediction: Golden State Warriors Win in 5 Games
No. 7 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 2 Houston Rockets
For the second year in a row, the Mavericks have quietly snuck into the playoffs, and after pushing the eventual champion Spurs to seven games in the first round last year, Dallas has the personnel to give Houston a similar challenge. Yes, the Rockets won the regular-season series 3-1, but all three wins were by seven points or less. Meanwhile, Houston will be without its best perimeter defender, Patrick Beverley, and Dallas has an offensive-minded shooting guard in Monta Ellis that will take advantage of the lack of effort that Houston’s James Harden tends to show. In fact, Dallas is one of the better offensive teams overall, ranking third in scoring and fifth in field goal percentage. Look for Harden and company to eventually advance, but it isn’t going to be easy.
Prediction: Houston Rockets Win in 7 Games
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No. 6 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers
After missing out on the No. 2 seed, the defending champion Spurs will take on a Clippers team that they split four meetings with during the regular season. As it has been since Chris Paul and Blake Griffin joined forces, the Clippers are an offensive juggernaut, and they finished the regular season ranked second in points per game. However, the Spurs are the deeper, more balanced team, and San Antonio finished the season ranked seventh in scoring and third in scoring defense. More importantly, Tim Duncan and company know how to take away an opponent’s strengths, and Spurs will force the Clippers to play primarily in the half court. Throw in the fact that the Clippers have struggled in the postseason in general because their up-tempo style doesn’t transfer well, and the Spurs are a nightmare matchup.
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs Win in 6 Games
No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers
If either of these teams was matched up against any other team, they would likely be out in the first round. Instead, someone has to advance, and after sweeping the Trail Blazers in four regular-season meetings, the Grizzlies should be able to take care of business. Granted, both teams are banged up, but Portland has suffered the biggest loss with Wesley Matthews sidelined for the year. Meanwhile, Memphis’ stingy defense, especially in the paint, will make life tough on Portland forward LeMarcus Aldridge, leaving Damian Lillard to carry a huge load. In the end, the Grizzlies will be able to grind out a series win against a Portland team that doesn’t have all its main pieces.
Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies Win in 6 Games
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