As usual, the Western Conference was a tight race until the final game of the regular season. With the Play-In Tournament concluding, and final seeding in place, it’s time to analyze and predict each series outcome this postseason.
NBA Playoffs: Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)
Prediction: Thunder win series 4-0
The Oklahoma City Thunder have the brightest future of any NBA team. In one season, they went from losing in the Play-In Tournament, to the number one seed in the always difficult Western Conference. They pulled off one of the fastest rebuilds in recent history, and they still have a plethora of draft capital that will only strengthen their roster in years to come.
The New Orleans Pelicans finally got a full season of stellar play from Zion Williamson only to lose him to a hamstring injury for this series. Without their star forward, the Pelicans will need a miracle to even make things competitive against the Thunder. OKC will make this a quick sweep and have plenty of rest in preparation for the second round.
Denver Nuggets (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Prediction: Nuggets win series 4-1
The Lakers hit their stride to close out the season, carrying momentum into their Play-In victory against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. Their improved play has earned them a date with the reigning champion, Denver Nuggets, a team that swept the Lakers in last years Western Conference Finals. Denver has played well all season, and has all the tools to make a run at a second consecutive title.
Any team led by LeBron James – even a 39-year-old LeBron James – has a fighting chance in any series. Anthony Davis is having a career year, and team chemistry has finally clicked for the Lakers. But everything that they have going for them still won’t be enough to beat Denver in four out of seven games. Many of these games may come down to the wire, and Nikola Jokic and company have flawlessly executed in those situations all season long.
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6)
Prediction: Suns win series 4-2
The Minnesota Timberwolves have hovered near the top of a stacked Western Conference all season. They got a huge leap from fourth year star, Anthony Edwards, and a return to form from defensive stalwart, Rudy Gobert. The Phoenix Suns have performed below expectations this season. Adding Bradley Beal to the mix didn’t grow into the Big 3 they were hoping for, and the team has looked unhappy all year. So why does it feel like they still have the edge against the T-Wolves in this series?
Suns forward, Kevin Durant, comes into these playoffs with a lot of pressure to lead his team deep into the postseason. The Suns have plenty of naysayers, given the season they just had, but Phoenix has the personnel and firepower to prove them wrong. For all the skill on Minnesota’s roster, the lack of playoff experience compared to Phoenix will hinder them in those clutch playoff moments. Phoenix will advanced to Round Two after an entertaining six games.
Los Angeles Clippers (4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
Prediction: Mavs win series 4-2
In a series that has a combined 47 All-Star appearances, 2 MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs, and 6 scoring titles among its players, this may be the best first round series from an entertainment standpoint. There will plenty to watch for as these teams meet once again for a round one battle.
With Luka Doncic right on the cusp of becoming the best basketball player in the world and Kyrie Irving playing uninterrupted for the first time since 2017, the Mavs have been an absolute joy for NBA fans to watch. Their combined leadership has given Dallas enough momentum to potentially go on a deep playoff run.
The veteran playoff experience on the Clippers roster will be their biggest weapon in this series, and may be enough to turn the tide if Kawhi Leonard is in peak form. However, the Clippers inconsistency since the All-Star Break tells us that the Mavericks will be too much of a force for them to handle in this matchup.