Eight Western Conference teams are still alive and hoping to make a run to the NBA Finals. For four of those teams the journey will end in the next couple of weeks, while four others will take the next step. Here is a look at the first round of the playoffs in the Western Conference.
1 San Antonio Spurs vs. 8 Memphis Grizzlies
Season Series - Tied 2-2
Many thought that the window of opportunity was closed for the veteran Spurs, but they proved the nay- sayers wrong with a superb regular season that saw them end up with the best record in the West. Coach Greg Popovich did an excellent job of limiting his stars' minutes while at the same time, finding a way to win on a consistent basis. The Spurs changed their style of play a bit this year, focusing more on offense and sacrificing a bit on defense, and it has paid off in a big way. The health of All-Star Manu Ginobli, however, is a concern as he is listed as doubtful for the playoff opener.
The Grizzlies had a very impressive season, breaking through and making the playoffs for the first time in years. They also did it by overcoming the injury to one of their best players, Rudy Gay. Zach Randolph has stepped up and been a huge force in the paint while Mike Conley has done a good job running the show at point. Their supporting cast is solid as well.
Even if Ginobli is out for the Spurs, the absence of Rudy Gay is a bigger loss for the Grizzlies, who just don't have enough offense to be able to keep up with the high-powered Spurs.
Prediction: Spurs in 5
2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 7 New Orleans Hornets
Season Series - Los Angeles leads 4-0
The Lakers had an up-and-down regular season where they appeared disinterested at times. Over the last couple of years, though, they have always turned it up come playoff time. The Lakers are loaded with talent but they do have some concerns going into the playoffs including Andrew Bynum's health and small forward Ron Artest, who appears to have lost his game this year. Even Kobe has shown signs of slowing down a bit.
The Hornets have had a nice bounce back season and made their way back to the playoffs. They are a solid defensive team but have issues at the offensive end. The loss of power forward and leading scorer David West is a huge blow to this team. Point guard Chris Paul has taken a step back in the last couple of years and is no longer the dynamic player he once was.
WIthout West, the Hornets just don't have the size or depth to be able to compete with the Lakers, who should make relatively short work of the overmatched Hornets.
Prediction: Lakers in 5
3 Dallas Mavericks vs. 6 Portland Trail Blazers
Season Series - Tied 2-2
The Dallas Mavericks had another successful regular season led by their perennial All-Star, Dirk Nowitski, one of the toughest covers in the league. The biggest key to this team, though, has been the addition of center Tyson Chandler. He has helped turn the Mavs into a top flight defensive team. The Mavs move the ball extremely well on offense and finished second in the league in assists.
The Portland Trail Blazers were able to overcome an injury to Brandon Roy and still find their way into the playoffs. The biggest reason was the emergence of power forward Lamarcus Aldridge, who has gone from being a nice number two option to a legit number one guy. The addition of Gerald Wallace has also paid huge dividends for this team.
This should be a hard-fought competitive series but the Mavs experience should prove to be the difference in the long run.
Prediction: Mavericks in 7
4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5 Denver Nuggets
Season Series - Oklahoma City leads 3-1
The Thunder are a team on the rise, led by two of the best young players in the league in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The addition of Kendrick Perkins has improved them defensively and provided a certain toughness they needed. The Thunder are not only one of the top scoring teams in the league but one of the top rebounding teams in the league as well.
The Denver Nuggets have one of the deepest teams in the league. They were able to acquire a slew of good players in the Carmelo Anthony trade. The Nuggets are the number one scoring team in the league at 107.5 points a game. Defense, however, is their Achilles heel.
This should certainly be the most entertaining and exciting series in the first round. These teams both like to get up and down and are prolific offensively. These are also the two hottest teams in the league over the last couple months of the season. In the end, the deciding factor will be that Denver doesn't have a true go-to-guy, while Oklahoma City has two.
Prediction: Thunder in 7
Frank Leal - I have a B.A. from Rutgers University. I always enjoyed writing papers and articles, especially about sports. I took a sports writing ...
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