With the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs done, the second-round matchups are now set. Here are INSCMagazine’s Western Conference semifinal predictions.
Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (5): Perhaps the one matchup that the high-octane NBA regular-season best Warriors did not want in the slower, more methodical Memphis Grizzlies in what will be a more half-court style series.
Despite winning the season series, 2-1, this has the makings of a seven-game series, and Memphis is more battle-tested and rugged than the young New Orleans Pelicans will ever be.
If Tony Allen and Michael Conley can contest Steph Curry and Klay Thompson’s shooting just enough, and make a few big buckets of their own, this could be an upset in the making.
The key to this series is not the Splash Bros, but Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green down low vs. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. PREDICTION: Grizzlies in 6
Houston Rockets (2) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (3): Chris Paul vs. James Harden. That is all the you need to know about this soon-to-be instant classic.
After coming off a epic seven-game series against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, Paul—at the expense of his hamstring—showed why he is among the top point guards in the game.
Most likely to be matched up on Harden, this series will be fun to watch. For Houston, they have been resting since last week, and will have the fresher legs and a revitalized Dwight Howard waiting.
The key to this series will be the continued growth of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as a deadly 1-2 punch down low, while Harden will get his points, if the Clippers are able to slow him down, it will be enough. PREDICTION: Clippers in 6