NBA Western Conference predictions

 Carrying on from my predictions of the East, in this blog, you will find the predictions for the West and finally who will win it all. Stay tuned and argue if you really think you know more than this gospel.

NBA Western Conference 

(1) Lakers vs (8) Blazers

(2) Clippers vs (7) Mavericks

(3) Nuggets vs (6) Jazz

(4) Rockets vs (5) Thunder

(1) Lakers vs (8) Blazers

Lakers have been the favorite for the chip after the AD trade and they will be a handful for any time. We know what we are going to get from Lebron and AD but their chances rely heavily on the productions of the other members of the squad. Kuzma, Green, and Waiters will have to offer good production to back up the big two. The Blazers have been in playoff mode since the season restart and that could be positive or a negative. They have no rust to shake off but they could be knackered after the intensity of games that they have been involved in. CJ and Dame with Carmelo will be hard to slow down but I have to give it to the Lakers but may be wrong if they don't sort out their third option.

Lakers in 5

(4) Rockets vs (5) Thunder 

What a story it would be if Chris Paul could beat the Rockets and James Harden after all the talk of in house fighting last year. Two teams with the exact same record and as 4 and 5 games usually are, this series will be very tight. Steven Adams should feast when he's on the floor against the small-ball lineup for the rockets. However, on any given night Russ and Harden can go off and with very good three-point shooting behind them, the Rockets can drown teams with the three-point plays they can make. The three point guards of CP3, SGA, and Schroder all also have the ability to go off any given night. Should be a tight series as aforementioned but I have to go with the higher seed, Houston. 

Rockets in 6 

(3) Nuggets vs (6) Jazz

1-0 to the Nuggets

Another close match-up that I cannot wait to watch. Utah has lost Bogdanovic to injury and Mike Conley and the Nuggets have lost Will Barton and Gary Harris. Mitchell and Jokic will carry both of their teams on their back but I think the Nuggets have more scoring with Murray and MPJ as well as the aging Paul Millsap. Mitchell is going to have to make a lot of scoring opportunities for his teammates as well as for himself. If the Nuggets can lock Mitchell down, the series will be there. I am writing this as the Nuggets go 1-0 up, Donovan scored 57 in a losing effort, the series has been set as I predicted. 

Nuggets in 7

(2) Clippers vs (7) Mavericks 

1-0 to the Clippers 

As a UK citizen, I missed the first game of the series between these two. I have seen the ejection and it was a real weak one for Porzingis but those are typical calls in this modern age of the NBA. The Clippers are one of the favorites to win the chip and I think rightly so. Two of the best wing defenders in the league in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. One of the deepest squads in the league with easily a ten-man rotation. The Mavs in KP and Doncic have two of the best young players in the league and are a fun team to watch. However, Clippers are bonafide winners and are going to be going on a deep playoff run. 

Clippers in 5

Semi-Finals 

(1) Lakers vs (4) Houston 

(2) Clippers vs (3) Nuggets

(1) Lakers vs (4) Houston

James Harden and Russell Westbrook both have the ability to score 40+ on any given night and this should worry the LA Lakers. Lebron can mark one of them but I do not see AD on either one, so this could be a weakness for the yellow and gold. AD struggled in one of the first games of the Rockets' small-ball lineup and if he does this over the series, the Lakers will struggle and could cost them this playoff series. However, I expect him to considerably improve and be too dominant for the Lakers, however, I think this series will go the distance. 

Lakers in 7 

(2) Clippers vs (3) Nuggets 

I see this less of a struggle for the Clippers. Denver has lost their famed home-court advantage and I think Kawhi or Paul George will lock down Murray, putting too much pressure on Jokic to make shots for the whole team as well as himself. The impact of Lou Williams and Harrell will mean the LA bench should outscore Denver's creating even more problems for the Nuggets. Only one way I can see this series and I have to back the ex Raptor, Kawhi. 

Clippers in 5 

Western Conference Finals 

(1) Lakers vs (2) Clippers

The Western Conference finals that we all want to see. The battle of LA has been touted all season and everything is lining up for this to see this at the highest level possible. James vs Leonard is going to be a battle for the ages but I have to back Leonard due to being in his prime while James is 35. AD will have to perform as he did in the most recent LA derby. The Clippers took the regular season 2 to 1 and I think there will be a similar result in this finals, however, I think will be a 7 game series. 

Clippers in 7

NBA FINALS 

(1) Bucks vs (2) Clippers

What a final this promises to be. Bucks v Clippers. Leonard vs Antetokounmpo. Harking back to the Eastern Conference finals last year and the swing was when Raptors coach Nick Nurse put Kawhi on Giannis. I see this going the same way as last year if Leonard can get anywhere near his playoff performance of last year. The last series between Toronto and the Bucks, as soon as Giannis was slowed down, the rest of the team crumbled. Coupled with Brogdon going to Indiana, are there enough shot creators on this team beside Giannis. I do not think so and therefore have to go with LA Clippers for their first-ever NBA championship. 

And that is what Jenka has to say.