This is the second part of my NBA playoffs preview, this time focusing on the Western Conference.
1-San Antonio Spurs vs 8- Memphis Grizzlies
Spurs
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich (14th playoff appearance)
Starting Lineup: Tony Parker PG, Manu Ginobili SG, Richard Jefferson SF, Tim Duncan PF, Antonio McDyess C
Grizzlies
Head Coach: Lionel Hollins (1st Playoff appearance)
Starters: Mike Conley Jr PG, Tony Allen SG, Sam Young SF, Zach Randolph PF, Marc Gasol C
In this first round match-up, the might and experience of Tim Duncan and his Spurs goes up against the young Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will be without their leader and second-leading scorer in Rudy Gay.
This series figures to be very one-sided with the Grizzlies just happy to be in the post-season for the first time since 2006.
The Grizzlies should be able to salvage at least one game though, with the twin-post threats of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph creating matchup problems inside.
Memphis will also need their new recruit, Tony Allen, to hit his stride offensively.
The Spurs will again base their attack around the greatest power forward ever in Tim Duncan and his loyal counterparts Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
The Spurs will also need big contributions from Dejuan Blair and George Hill, off the bench and a veteran showing from Richard Jefferson.
My Prediction: 4-1 Spurs
4-Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5-Denver Nuggets
Thunder
Head Coach: Scott Brooks (2nd Playoffs appearance)
Starting Line-up: Russel Westbrook PG, Thabo Sefalosha SG, Kevin Durant SF, Serge Ibaka PF, Kendrick Perkins C
Nuggets
Head Coach: George Karl (20th Playoffs appearance)
Starting Line-up: Ty Lawson PG, Aaron Afflalo SG, Danilo Gallinari SF, Kenyon Martin PF, Nene C
After big trade deadline moves by both teams, these two now meet up in the first round.
The Nuggets, who swapped Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups for Ray Felton, Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, will be the underdogs in this series.
Oklahoma swapped number three scoring option Jeff Green for Boston’s defensive center Kendrick Perkins.
The Thunder are making a second consecutive playoff appearance, after being bounced by the eventual champion Lakers in the first round last season.
The huge scoring provided by Russel Westbrook and back-to-back scoring champion Kevin Durant should be too much for the Nuggets in this one.
The Nugs have been playing well as a team since the deadline, utilising a 10-man rotation.
They should have enough firepower and defence under coach George Karl, to pull off a few wins.
My Prediction: Thunder 4-2
2-Los Angeles Lakers vs 7- New Orleans Hornets
Lakers
Head Coach: Phil Jackson (20th Playoffs appearance)
Starters: Derek Fisher PG, Kobe Bryant SG, Ron Artest SF, Pau Gasol PF, Andrew Bynum C
Hornets
Head Coach: Monty Williams (1st Playoffs appearance)
Starters: Chris Paul PG, Willie Green SG, Trevor Ariza SF, Carl Landry PF, Emeka Okafor C
The two-time defending champions will, for the first time in four years, end the regular season with the second seed in the west.
Kobe and the Lakers go up against perennial All Star and top two point guard Chris Paul.
Paul has been burdened with recovery from a knee injury this season, but has still been able to post impressive numbers and will New Orleans to a 46-36 record.
The Lakers have been rolling since the All Star break but recently lost center Andrew Bynum to a bone bruise on his right knee.
The team has said the injury isn’t serious and Bynum, who has suffered knee injuries for years, will play against the Hornets.
The experience of Kobe’s Lakers should be more than enough to top the Hornets.
My Prediction: Lakers 4-1
3-Dallas Mavericks vs 6-Portland Trailblazers
Mavericks
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle (8th Playoffs appearance)
Starters: Jason Kidd PG, Roddy Beaubois SG, Peja Stojakovic SF, Dirk Nowitzki PF, Tyson Chandler C
Blazers
Head Coach: Nate McMillan (5th Playoffs appearance)
Starters: Andre Miller PG, Wesley Matthews SG, Nicholas Batum SF, Gerald Wallace SF, LaMarcus Aldridge PF
Former MVP and this year’s best PF, Dirk Nowitzki will lead the Mavs into this one against the three-headed dragon of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace.
Wallace, who was acquired at the trade deadline, will be a key cog in the Blazers’ run.
His ability to defend both, Dirk and Shawn Marion, will be central to the Blazers’ hopes.
Also, the play of Brandon Roy off the bench, as he recovers from injury and the continued rise of LaMarcus Aldridge will be key factors.
If the bench for Portland fires, then this series could lead to an upset.
The hopes of the Mavs lie squarely on the shoulders of Dirk, who has been a dynamo all year for Dallas.
The Mavs will also look to veteran PG Jason Kidd.
The wing-scoring on offer from the Blazers and their deep bench should be enough to pull off a big upset in this first round series.
My Prediction: Blazers 4-2
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