2016 NBA Western Conference Playoffs predictions
For the better part of the last decade, the Western Conference has been the hands down favourite when compared to the East. Last year’s final regular season standings led to numerous nationwide discussions about scrapping the Conferences for the post-season and just entering the Playoffs with the top 16 teams.
The league office allowed all that noise to play out and is reaping the benefits now.
Last year three of the eight Eastern Conference teams had a record of .500 or lesser, this year every Playoff team in the East has a winning record. Last year the Western Conference had only one team which had not won 50 games or more, this year only four of the eight teams have won 50 games or more.
Actually, this year, heading into the Playoffs the West might be the weaker conference as a whole. Of course, it does have the best team in league history, the 73 win Golden State Warriors but the seeds from 5-8 aren’t very competitive making the fans wait for the Conference Semis more than the first round.
Here’s a preview to all the first round match-ups in the West:
[4] Los Angeles Clippers vs [5] Portland Trailblazers
Every member of the Portland Trailblazers franchise (players, coaches, management) must be given huge props for what they have achieved this season. Despite losing four of their five starters over the summer, the Trailblazers still registered a winning season of 44-38.
Their backcourt of Damian Lillard and candidate for the Most Improved Award, CJ McCollum have been the biggest reasons behind the feel-good story in Portland.
Comparing the rosters, the Los Angeles Clippers should have this one safely in the bag. It’s more about how soon the Clippers can wrap up this series rather than whether they can.
Los Angeles forward Blake Griffin has only been able to play five games along with the team after his return from injury and based on his performances it’s difficult to ascertain if he is completely comfortable on the court and whether he has found the chemistry with his team that is needed for this team to have a deep Playoff run.
Terry Stotts, Head Coach of the Blazers, has served as an assistant under Rick Carlisle and is one of the smartest coaches in the league. For how his team has surpassed expectations, Stotts should be among the front-runners for the Coach of the Year award.
It’s Stotts sharp and smart mind along with the possibility of Portland’s backcourt exploding for one or two games that makes this contest the most interesting one to watch in the West.
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers win in 6 games