Mike's Hard Takes

We talked about the junior varsity conference yesterday, but today we’re talking about the absolutely stacked Western Conference. You could talk me into any of the top 7 teams in the conference making a run to the NBA Finals if things broke right. With that being said, let’s dive in.

The Play In

#7 Warriors vs. #8 Grizzlies

• I’ll keep it short, Memphis doesn’t beat good teams. Warriors win big.

#9 Kings vs. #10 Mavericks

• Lavine, Derozen and Sabonis is a sneaky good trio and the Mavs are just filled with bad vibes. Give me the Kings.

#8 Grizzlies vs. #9 Kings

• Grizzlies salvage their season and earn the right to warm the Thunder up for their second round series. Grizz win big.

First Round

#1 Thunder vs. #8 Grizzlies

• Get your brooms ready….

#2 Rockets vs. #7 Warriors

• Man, this series will be undoubtedly entertaining. Ime Udoka’s squad is feisty and athletic. The key for Houston is going to come down to Jalen Green and Sengun and if they can get a bucket when they need one at the end of the game. Amen Thompson is the Rocket I trust the most, but when this team is in its first playoff series playing against the likes of Stephen Curry and Playoff Jimmy Butler and the wealth of experience they bring could prove to be too much. I think it goes 7, and the Warriors pull it off.

#3 Lakers vs. #6 Timberwolves

• The T-Wolves are hot, and Anthony Edwards might one day be the best player in the world, however a team comprised of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle playing key roles is doomed to a first round exit. I see a gentleman’s sweep filled with close games that the Lakers close out in the 4th quarter.

#4 Nuggets vs. #5 Clippers

• I’m just going to be real, I don’t like either of these teams and want both to lose, that being said, I see a tough 7 game series. Nikola Jokic is poised to have a monster series, but the Clippers are just so deep. Couple that with “Playoff Russ” playing the Nuggets and the absence of a healthy Jamal Murray could be too much when playing one of the hottest teams in the league right now. Give me the Clippers to win a game 7.

Second Round

#1 Thunder vs. #5 Clippers

• This is a great series. If I could trust James Harden in the playoffs I think I would pick the Clippers here. Even so, Zubac vs. Chet should be a matchup where the Clippers should feast, and if Kawhi remains healthy he could be dynamic as well. But the Thunder didn’t win 68 games by accident, I like them to be able to close out 4th quarters of close games. Give me the Thunder in a TOUGH 7 game series.

#3 Lakers vs. #7 Warriors

• A lot of pundits are going to be contrarians and pick the Warriors here. I’m going to be real, I don’t think it will be a close series. The Lakers have 3 of the 4 best players in the series and their length will be a struggle for a banged up Warriors squad. I see a 6 game series, but one where all of the Lakers wins are comfortable. Lakers win.

Conference Finals

#1 Thunder vs. #3 Lakers

• OKC, UFC, KFC – Lakers in 5. Jokes aside, Luka is the Thunder’s kryptonite. While the Thunder boast the likely MVP, and are arguably the deepest team in the league, the Lakers have the best player in the series in Luka, plus LeBron and Austin Reaves who will be the 3rd and 4th best players in the series (maybe J-Dub proves me wrong). This might be bold, and I have the potential of getting laughed off the internet, but I like the Lakers in 5 games here.

Stay tuned for my NBA Finals prediction!