The NBA’s Western Convention semifinals are set to tip off on Monday evening.
MVP favourite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 1 seed Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will lock horns with 3X MVP Nikola Jokic and the 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets. On the opposite facet of the draw, Anthony Edwards and the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves will tackle Stephen Curry and the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors after every crew pulled off upsets within the first spherical.
The Ballislife workers dropped their picks and predictions for every sequence beneath.
Western Convention Semifinals: Thunder vs. Nuggets
Will Despart
Prediction: Thunder in 4
A four-game sweep for OKC would possibly sound somewhat loopy off prime, however I don’t suppose the informal NBA fan realizes simply how good of a basketball crew that is. The Thunder have received 68 video games this season, which is tied for the fifth-most in NBA historical past. If OKC had been to finish this championship run, they might be part of a pair of MJ’s Bulls groups, the 1971-72 Lakers and the 1966-67 76ers (led by Wilt Chamberlain) as the one groups in NBA historical past to win a championship with 68+ regular-season wins.
With the Thunder wanting each bit the half in a four-game sweep over Memphis and the Nuggets coming off a taxing seven-game sequence towards the Clippers, one would think about Oklahoma Metropolis has the well being and vitality benefit on this sequence. To not point out how a lot OKC’s depth ought to overpower Denver within the first place.
The primary storyline of this sequence, nevertheless, is the very fact it’s a matchup between two rivals in what might find yourself as closest NBA MVP vote in a era. The final identified odds nonetheless have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander because the prohibitive favourite to win the award, although Nikola Jokic made a robust push on the finish with an unbelievable end to the common season. Sadly, the expertise benefit Oklahoma Metropolis has on this sequence makes it laborious to imagine that this conflict of the titans lasts greater than 5 video games. As I’ve made clear, I feel don’t even suppose it goes that lengthy. Thunder in 4.
Sara Jane Gamelli
Prediction: Thunder in 6
The OKC Thunder completed with the NBA’s greatest report of 68-14 this season, marking 68 wins because the fifth most in NBA historical past. Actually, in response to the NBA, they’d a historic 54 double-digit wins this season. This doesn’t occur by chance, it is a dominant crew prime to backside. Headlined by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there’s a lot extra to this Thunder crew. Having led the NBA with a +12.9 level differential. It’s the supporting solid round SGA that makes this Thunder crew so harmful. A younger, but sturdy crew — Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are underrated essential x-factors for this crew. To not point out, the younger core that Mark Daigneault has brilliantly managed.
I personally really feel the offseason additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein put this Thunder crew excessive. We’re speaking a few crew that ranked No.1 in defensive score and web score! Though they’re a youthful squad, we are able to’t overlook the dominance of this crew. Actually, they remind me of the Celtics from 2016 on. Their prime 4 gamers had been drafted by the group. This crew is traditionally elite.
One of the crucial environment friendly groups past the arc this season (37.4 %), the Thunder had been prime 4 in scoring within the NBA (120.5). Splitting the sequence 2-2 with the Denver Nuggets, this received’t be a simple feat. Denver has a core group that’s been collectively—One wherein they received an NBA Championship in 2023.
The Nuggets positive have chemistry and championship expertise, nevertheless the Thunder have been a core group for some time. Denver stomped on the Thunder on the highway 140-127 in March, so we all know this can be a good sequence. Then we noticed the Thunder dominate the Nuggets 127-103 on their homecourt again in March.
The place these two groups differ is protection. Having ranked no. 21 in defensive score within the common season, the Nuggets rank no. 11 defensively within the playoffs.
Who doesn’t love a Western Convention Semifinals matchup headlining SGA and Nikola Jokic? Paradoxically the 2 prime MVP candidates this season, each groups have gamers that may take over video games evening after evening.
We noticed the Thunder cruise to a 4-0 sweep over an ailing Memphis Grizzlies crew. Actually, one wherein they dominated with a +68 level differential. The Nuggets had a tumultuous first spherical sequence towards the Clippers. Did Aaron Gordon bail Denver out?
General, the Thunder boast the perfect perimeter protection within the NBA, limiting groups to 34.2 p.c past the arc this season. -900 odds to win the sequence, the Thunder head into Recreation 1 as heavy 9.5 level unfold favorites. Having one of many deepest rosters within the NBA, that ought to propel the Thunder into the following spherical alone. Thunder in 6.
Aya Abdeen
Prediction: Thunder in 6
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had the most effective seasons in franchise historical past, capturing 68 wins all through the common season. Then again, the Denver Nuggets received an NBA Championship simply two years in the past and has been within the playoffs for the final six years. It comes all the way down to expertise and the kind of vitality they might wish to usher in all through the sequence. The Thunder might take the sequence in seven video games with the facility from their younger stars. Thunder in 6.
Western Convention Semifinals: Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors
Will Despart
Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
Whereas many people noticed the Warriors’ downing the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets as a possible launching level for the crew, that sequence made me really feel prefer it was fairly the other.
Houston is the definition of an awesome common season crew that’s nonetheless a star away from being a authentic championship menace. That a lot was made clear by the truth that Fred VanVleet was the crew’s most constant offensive performer in the course of the sequence. Very similar to the 2019 NBA Finals, VanVleet posed far more bother for the Warriors than he in all probability ought to have.
Even with Jalen Inexperienced solely breaking double-figures in scoring as soon as within the seven-game sequence, the Warriors had been unable to shut out a 3-1 benefit till the fourth quarter of Recreation 7. With Anthony Edwards awaiting the Warriors’ just like the Grim Reaper within the subsequent spherical, I don’t anticipate them having such luck surviving.
Edwards has confirmed to be the NBA’s equal of “The Legend Killer” Randy Orton in wrestling, having taken NBA playoff sequence from LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Jokic earlier than his twenty fourth birthday. I totally anticipate him so as to add Stephen Curry to to that listing of casualties, particularly after how Minnesota closed out the common season earlier than humbling the Lakers within the first spherical. Timberwolves in 6.
Sara Jane Gamelli
Prediction: Timberwolves in 7
The Minnesota Timberwolves head into the Semifinals towards the Golden State Warriors as slim -178 favorites within the sportsbooks. I could also be unsuitable, nevertheless, I really feel this one goes to a full seven video games.
The Warriors went from a play-in crew to a playoff crew in a blink of a watch. After nearly blowing a 3-1 within the first spherical, they got here out victorious, due to Buddy Hield in recreation 7. We’ve to recollect, Jimmy Butler suffered an harm midway by way of the sequence.
The Warriors have undergone a number of roster adjustments this season, together with buying and selling for Butler mid season. Whereas it’s unknown if Golden State has the correct chemistry to win a NBA Championship, they’ve confirmed they will grasp in. In any case, the Rockets are one of the crucial fiery on defensive within the NBA. If they will get previous that, they need to have an opportunity towards the Timberwolves.
The Warriors received the common season sequence towards the Timberwolves 3-1, so we all know they will grasp in there. What’s higher than sequence that includes two of the most important stars within the NBA: Steph Curry vs Anthony Edwards?Hield was hooping early within the season, and has proven Steve Kerr why he may be an x-factor shifting ahead. Scoring 33 factors in a should win recreation 7, the considered Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Hield is horrifying. To not point out, the Warriors have one of the crucial productive benches within the NBA.
Do not Sleep on the Minnesota Timberwolves
That stated, let’s stay awake on the Timberwolves. Having revamped their roster within the low season, they completed as a prime 5 crew in offensive and defensive score. Actually, they boasted a second greatest +5.0 level differential within the Western Convention, behind the Thunder.
We noticed the Timberwolves ship Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Lakers house packing after a 4-1 first spherical sequence win. With a +35 level differential, former Defensive Participant of the 12 months Rudy Goebert exploded for a uncommon 27 level efficiency in Recreation 6.
With a robust beginning 5, Julius Randle has match like a glove in Minnesota. To not point out, we’ve seen the Ant Man explode for 43 factors final sequence. I do suppose the x-factors on this sequence might be Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Timberwolves are gritty, and so they have the “dawgs” to ship the Timberwolves into the following spherical.General, one recreation separated the Warriors and Timberwolves from the No. 6 and No. 7 seed. I feel when individuals hear the phrase play-in crew, they robotically low cost a crew. Timberwolves in 7.
Aya Abdeen
Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
The Minnesota Timberwolves have appreciable relaxation since eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 video games all through the primary spherical. Conversely, the Golden State Warriors, led by Curry and Butler, have performed seven video games within the first spherical— particularly after they clinched a spot within the playoffs by way of a play-in recreation. With the kind of efficiency Anthony Edwards is having for Minnesota and the remainder and restoration they’ve had for practically every week, I can see the crew advancing to the Western Convention Finals as soon as once more. Timberwolves in 6.
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