Western Conference First Round Predictions

#1 LA Lakers vs #8 Portland Trail Blazers:

After seeing how Portland has handled its past two games facing off against the Brooklyn Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies, viewers have to begin to question their ability to face stronger teams come playoffs. Although this talented Blazers team led by Damian Lillard has many offensive threats that can fill the boxscore on any given night, the issue that will be glaringly problematic in their matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers is on the defensive end. In order for this series to be at all close the Trail Blazers will need several historic playoff performances by their underrated star player Damian Lillard, but they will also need to step it up on the defensive end against one of the best offensive teams in the league. The Lakers ended with a 3-5 record in the 8 seeding games, but obviously this should not reflect how this talented team will perform in round one of the playoffs. The effort level did not seem like it was there in most of their games as they secured the 1st seed in the west very early on. We can expect the star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to turn up the effort level come playoffs and return to the high level of play that they showed in their first game of the restart vs the rival Clippers. Although this series does not seem like it will go well for the Portland Trailblazers, throughout this NBA bubble restart I have learned to never count out the All Star Damian Lillard, who recently earned Bubble MVP for his incredible performances in their race for the playoffs. I simply feel that They will have no match for the offensive phenom in Anthony Davis and that defensively they cannot matchup with the Lakers. - Owen Daryani

Owen: (4-0) Lakers

Simon: (4-1) Lakers

#4 Houston Rockets vs #5 Oklahoma City Thunder:

Stories like these write themselves. Last offseason, Houston dealt Chris Paul to OKC in exchange for franchise cornerstone Russell Westbrook. While Westbrook harbors no hard feelings towards the organization and is still respected by management and fans alike, the same cannot be said for CP3 who had many heated exchanges with James Harden and coaching during his tenure on the Rockets. It’s such a perfect storyline to see these two teams face off in the playoffs given all the layers of subtext and potential implications that come from the result. Speaking of the result, I had Houston taking this series in 7 before I knew of Westbrook’s injury. Without Westbrook, the Rockets lack a force to ground them from the 3pt obsessed system they run. I’m switching my pick to OKC for this very reason, but still expect Houston to take 3 games, likely blowout wins with 45+ threes attempted. - Simon Pruitt

Owen: (4-3) Thunder

Simon: (4-3) Thunder

#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Utah Jazz:

Last time Denver and Utah played, we were treated to a 2OT slugfest featuring the highest quality of play from nearly every player on both teams. I’d give almost anything to see 7 more games of that intensity. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re going to get. If you truly read between the lines of that game with context and hindsight in mind, you’ll find that Denver executed to perfection for 48+ minutes while Utah was blessed with what might be the best Donovan Mitchell game we’ll ever see. Rudy Gobert is the consensus #1 big man defender in the league and was still torched by the significantly less athletic Jokic at every given opportunity. Jokic was able to single handedly neutralize Utah’s greatest advantage in Gobert’s rim protection and interior defense. Without that, Utah is a slightly above average team with offensive struggles. Barring an untimely injury to Jokic, Denver should have this series locked up before seven. - Simon Pruitt

Owen: (4-1) Nuggets

Simon (4-2) Nuggets

LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks:

To an extent more than any other matchup, This is going to be the most superstar filled matchup that promises exciting storylines throughout. The LA Clippers look to assert their dominance on the west as they begin their journey to the NBA Finals, while the Mavs young stars in Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis get an opportunity to prove themselves on the biggest stage. We can look forward to watching a superstar matchup in Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic, as Kawhi chases back to back NBA championships with his elite play on both sides of the floor, and Luka Doncic looks to validate his superstardom by leading his team in the playoffs with incredible stats and highlight plays. The Clippers hope to see Montrezl Harrell rejoin their team on the court before Monday after recently returning to the bubble after being gone with a family emergency since the beginning of the restart. In their most recent matchup, the clippers ran away with the win 126-111. On the season the Mavs are yet to get the best of the Clippers in their 3 matchups. Writing this from the point of view of a lifelong diehard Mavs fan, I would love to advocate for a possible upset, but from a neutral point of view I know this to be unlikely against this stacked powerhouse of a Clippers team. - Owen Daryani

Owen: (4-2) Clippers

Simon: (4-2) Clippers

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IMAGE CREDIT: Kim Klement