2010 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Previews & Predictions, First Round
With the East looking like it is going to be a given the Magic and Cavs will face off again for the Conference Championships, it will not be nearly as easy to pick the Western Conference winners.
Western Conference
1) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (50-32)
2010 Season Stats
Lakers || Thunder
PPG: 101.7 || 101.5
RPG: 44.3 || 43.5
APG: 21.1 || 20.0
FG%: .457 || .462
Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant (27.0 ppg) || Kevin Durant (30.1 ppg)
This could be the most interesting mathup of the first round. The Thunder are not your typical eight seed. They finished the regular season with the same record as the Spurs and Blazers but were placed in the eight spot due to tie-breaker rules.
The Lakers have been pretty inconsistent all season and will need to play good basketball to put away a surprising Thunder team, led by the league scoring leader, Kevin Durant. The Thunder have a great 1-2 punch in Russell Westbrook and Durant, but will need the role players to step up if they want to pull off the upset.
My Prediction: Lakers win 4-2
JP14 Prediction: Lakers
atom Prediction: Thunder
MC McMahon Prediction: Lakers
2) Dallas Mavericks (55-27) vs. 7) San Antonio Spurs (50-32)
2010 Season Stats
Mavericks || Spurs
PPG: 102.0 || 101.4
RPG: 41.7 || 42.8
APG: 23.4 || 22.3
FG%: .465 || .473
Leading Scorer: Dirk Nowitzki (25.0 ppg) || Tim Duncan (17.9 ppg)
The battle of Texas should come down to the final game. Tim Duncan and the Spurs have truckloads of playoff experience and should give the Mavs a challenge.
The Mavericks have looked like the team to beat in the West ever since the Caron Butler trade and look to finally give Mark Cuban a championship. The Spurs will need big games from Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker in order to keep this series interesting.
I see the leadership of Jason Kidd and Nowitzki being too much for the veteran Spurs, but it will come down to the wire.
My Prediction: Mavericks win series 4-3
JP14 Prediction: Mavs
atom Prediction: Mavs
MC McMahon Prediction: Mavs
3) Phoenix Suns (54-28) vs 6) Portland Trailblazers (50-32)
2010 Season Stats
Suns || Blazers
PPG: 110.2 || 98.1
RPG: 43.0 || 40.2
APG: 23.3 || 20.4
FG%: .492 || .461
Leading Scorer: Amare Stoudamire (23.1 ppg) || Brandon Roy (21.5 ppg)
If Brandon Roy doesn’t play — and it is looking that way — this will not even be a series. The Suns have too much fire power for the Blazers, who will need increased scoring from Rudy Fernandez and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Andre Miller and Marcus Camby are not known for their scoring, so Portland is going to have to rely on thier defense to keep them in this series. The Suns are playing their best basketball right now and do not look to slow down any time soon.
Should Roy come back in time for the playoffs, this could go more than 5 games.
My Prediction: Suns win series 4-1
JP14 Prediction: Suns
atom Prediction: Blazers
MC McMahon Prediction: Suns
4) Denver Nuggets (53-29) vs Utah Jazz (53-29)
2010 Season Stats
Nuggets || Jazz
PPG: 106.5 || 104.2
RPG: 41.4 || 42.2
APG: 21.0 || 26.7
FG%: .468 || .491
Leading Scorer: Carmello Anthony (28.2 ppg) Carlos Boozer (19.5 ppg)
Just like the Laker/Thunder match-up, I can not wait to see what happens between these two teams. The Nuggets will need Carmello to get them through this series. If he struggles, the Nuggets will be sent packing early.
The Jazz have been flying under the radar all season and are a very solid, well coached TEAM. That’s something you do not see in the NBA anymore. It appears George Karl will not return for the first round of the playoffs, which is a shame because I would have loved to see Jerry Sloan and George Karl’s teams go head-to-head.
I look for Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer to be too much for Denver to handle in the end. This should be a great series that comes down to the wire.
My Prediction: Jazz win series 4-3
JP14 Prediction: Nuggets
atom Prediction: Nuggets
MC McMahon Prediction: Jazz
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I feel like the Mavs are not getting enough credit. The Spurs are definitely the favorite upset pick of many, but frankly I think the Mavs have too much depth for the Spurs to handle.
The Lakers usually suck around the end of the season, yet they’re still the team to beat based on their record and being the defending champs. It should be a high scoring series, Durant will dominate Artest, but LA is the more experienced team. I believe the Lakers will advance 4-2.
The battle in Texas seems to have several veteran starters, which isn’t always a bad thing. I’d side with the Mavs simply cause Duncan isn’t the same player he was a few years ago, and he’s the key guy for the Spurs. The Mavs should take the series 4-1.
Far as Phoenix against Portland, due to injuries I think the Blazers will get swept.
The Denver and Utah series should be fun but I doubt it’s gonna be decided in game 7. The biggest factor is a healthy Carlos Boozer, I predict the Nuggets will advance 4-2.
Let’s go Kobe! Beat Boston in 6! Show them who is the best team in the NBA!