The NBA’s Western Convention semifinals are set to tip off on Monday night time.
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 group 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 may sound a little bit loopy off prime, however I don’t suppose the informal NBA fan realizes simply how good of a basketball group that is. The Thunder have gained 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 principle storyline of this sequence, nevertheless, is the very fact it’s a matchup between two opponents 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 powerful 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 finest report of 68-14 this season, marking 68 wins because the fifth most in NBA historical past. The truth is, in response to the NBA, they’d a historic 54 double-digit wins this season. This doesn’t occur accidentally, it is a dominant group prime to backside. Headlined by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there’s a lot extra to this Thunder group. Having led the NBA with a +12.9 level differential. It’s the supporting solid round SGA that makes this Thunder group so harmful. A younger, but sturdy group — Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are underrated essential x-factors for this group. 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 group excessive. We’re speaking a few group that ranked No.1 in defensive score and internet score! Though they’re a youthful squad, we will’t overlook the dominance of this group. The truth is, they remind me of the Celtics from 2016 on. Their prime 4 gamers had been drafted by the group. This group is traditionally elite.
Probably the most 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 gained’t be a simple feat. Denver has a core group that’s been collectively—One through which they gained an NBA Championship in 2023.
The Nuggets certain 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 will probably 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 night time after night time.
We noticed the Thunder cruise to a 4-0 sweep over an ailing Memphis Grizzlies group. The truth is, one through which 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 % 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 subsequent spherical alone. Thunder in 6.
Aya Abdeen
Prediction: Thunder in 6
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had top-of-the-line seasons in franchise historical past, capturing 68 wins all through the common season. Alternatively, the Denver Nuggets gained 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 herald all through the sequence. The Thunder might take the sequence in seven video games with the ability from their younger stars. Thunder in 6.
Western Convention Semifinals: Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors
Will Despart
Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
Whereas many of us noticed the Warriors’ downing the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets as a possible launching level for the group, that sequence made me really feel prefer it was fairly the alternative.
Houston is the definition of an awesome common season group that’s nonetheless a star away from being a respectable championship risk. That a lot was made clear by the truth that Fred VanVleet was the group’s most constant offensive performer in the course of the sequence. Very like 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 absolutely count on 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 group to a playoff group in a blink of a watch. After virtually blowing a 3-1 within the first spherical, they got here out victorious, because of Buddy Hield in recreation 7. We have now to recollect, Jimmy Butler suffered an harm midway by 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 right chemistry to win a NBA Championship, they’ve confirmed they will hold in. In any case, the Rockets are some of the fiery on defensive within the NBA. If they will get previous that, they need to have an opportunity towards the Timberwolves.
The Warriors gained the common season sequence towards the Timberwolves 3-1, so we all know they will hold in there. What’s higher than sequence that includes two of the largest 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 frightening. To not point out, the Warriors have some of the 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 group in offensive and defensive score. The truth is, they boasted a second finest +5.0 level differential within the Western Convention, behind the Thunder.
We noticed the Timberwolves ship Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Lakers dwelling 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 powerful 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 could possibly be Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Timberwolves are gritty, they usually have the “dawgs” to ship the Timberwolves into the subsequent spherical.General, one recreation separated the Warriors and Timberwolves from the No. 6 and No. 7 seed. I feel when folks hear the phrase play-in group, they mechanically low cost a group. 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 a play-in recreation. With the kind of efficiency Anthony Edwards is having for Minnesota and the remainder and restoration they’ve had for almost every week, I can see the group advancing to the Western Convention Finals as soon as once more. Timberwolves in 6.
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