NBA Playoffs First Round Preview: Western Conference

San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz:
Prediction: Spurs in 5
What to Watch: Will Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter negate Utah's enormous front line of Millsap, Jefferson and Favors?
The Decider: The extreme depth of the Spurs
In this series, the one-seeded Spurs face off with the Jazz, who clinched a playoff birth on the second last day of the regular season vs. the Suns. The Spurs, tied for the best record in the league, have Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, with a plethora of capable players who know their role and play within it. The Spurs have the advantage with Popovich as their coach. That being said, I think that Utah will steal a game at home with their size advantage and tremendous home record.




OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks:
Prediction: Thunder in 7
What to Watch: Will the Thunder speed up the pace, or will the Mavs slow it down into the halfcourt?
The Decider: The Thunder's athleticism
The two-seeded Thunder take on the defending champs in the first round, in a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals. OKC has superior athleticism and speed, while Dallas has the experience and execution to move to the next round. That being said, I think that Dallas, without Barea and Chandler from last year, will eventually fall to Durant and the Thunder's energy and athleticism.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets:
Prediction: Lakers in 6
What to Watch: Will Kobe's return disrupt or facilitate the Lakers offensive?
The Decider: Whichever team decides the tempo
The third seed Lakers take on the superstar-less Nuggets, with each team having advantages over the other. The Lakers have a huge frontline of Gasol and Bynum, while the Nuggets have speedy guards like Ty Lawson. The Nuggets, who average a league-best 104.1 pints per game, obviously play at a breakneck pace, while the Lakers mix an outside attack with Bynum and Gasol pounding the other team down low. The Nuggets have a ton of athleticism, from center and forward (JaVale McGee, Kenneth Faried) to guards (Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo). If the Lakers slow down the tempo, as per the norm in the playoffs, then they will win this series, but if Denver speeds it up, the games could get high scoring and close.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Prediction: Grizzlies in 7
What to Watch: Will Chris Paul take over and win the Clippers a couple games, or a series, as he did last year vs. the Lakers?
The Decider: The Grizzlies' toughness and rebounding
In the 4-5 matchup, the tough Grizzlies take on the highly athletic Clippers in what looks to be one of the more intriguing match-ups in the first round. The Grizzlies have size, from Rudy Gay to Marc Gasol to Zach Randolph to Marresse Speights. The Clippers have athleticism, from Blake Griffin to DeAndre Jordan to Nick Young. I think that The Grizzlies will out-tough Flop City in their first year with Chris Paul.