[2] San Antonio Spurs vs [7] Memphis Grizzlies The Spurs look to make it back to the
Conference Semi-Finals for the first time since 2014 when they won the title.
The Grizzlies are heavily over-matched in this one and have the worst odds to
win the championship out of the 16 teams in the playoffs. Memphis will be
without their two best players in Marc Gasol and Mike Conley and will rely on
the likes of Lance Stephenson, Z-Bo, and Matt Barnes. The Grizzlies stumbled
into the playoffs and are rewarded by having to face Kawhi Leonard and the 67
win Spurs.The Spurs are expected to roll over the short-handed Grizzlies and they probably will. Expect a heavy dose of Aldridge in the low post, something that will be extremely difficult to defend without their rim protector, Gasol. Memphis will be lucky to keep these games within 15 points.
Prediction: Spurs win series 4-0
[4] Los Angeles
Clippers vs [5] Portland Trail Blazers The
Blazers will square off against the Clippers in their first playoff series with
Damian Lillard as the unquestioned team leader. Lillard is one of the best
up-and-coming point guards in the game and is coming off a career year. He will
face the tough task of going up against proven veteran Chris Paul. This is the
stage that Lillard lives for and he will not be intimidated by the opportunity.
The same cannot be said about the rest of the Blazers roster. Portland is one
of the youngest teams in the post season and they have key players who lack meaningful
playoff experience.
On the other hand, the Clippers have the same established roster that was a game away from the Western Conference Finals in 2015. A lot of the Clippers success in this year’s playoffs will depend on Blake Griffin. He will need to be a key contributor if the Clippers want to advance to the next round. All-in-all the Clippers have too much firepower for the young Blazers to handle and the size down low will be a problem for Portland. Expect a big series out of DeAndre Jordan.
Prediction: Clippers win series 4-1(Image by Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports)
On the other hand, the Clippers have the same established roster that was a game away from the Western Conference Finals in 2015. A lot of the Clippers success in this year’s playoffs will depend on Blake Griffin. He will need to be a key contributor if the Clippers want to advance to the next round. All-in-all the Clippers have too much firepower for the young Blazers to handle and the size down low will be a problem for Portland. Expect a big series out of DeAndre Jordan.
Prediction: Clippers win series 4-1(Image by Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports)
Grayson Gold-Garvey
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