NBA Playoffs 2016 Conference Finals

Western Conference Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors

Although I was very shocked the Thunder beat the Spurs, the Thunder are playing their best basketball and have a legitimate chance to beat the Warriors. After giving up a dozen fourth quarter leads during the regular season, the Thunder were the complete opposite against the Spurs, closing out every game with great defense against the most potent offense in the NBA. Their series win was especially impressive after their Game 1 blowout vs San Antonio. After that game, I thought the Spurs were going to blow by the Thunder maybe losing a game in OKC, but then walk into the Western Conference Finals to face-off with the Warriors. Much like the Trailblazers, the Thunder were written off by just about everyone. Bill Simmons had one of most popular tweets after the game (Coach Simmons?) questioning Billy Donovan's coaching. To Bill's point, I think most people were questioning the Thunder and their effort. They bounced back after Game 1, by stealing Game 2, and the same after Game 3, with a Game 4 win. If the Thunder can steal one of two at Golden State, I think they can make this into a seven game series. I won't say they will win Game 7 at Oracle, but I think they belong in it. I am going to take the Warriors in 6, which means the Thunder will steal one, but also lose on their home court. There is just no way I can bet against a Warriors team with a decently health Curry, playing in all games.




Eastern Conference Finals

Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Congrats to the Toronto Raptors on advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. It is such an accomplishment for that franchise. Unfortunately, they have to face the smoking hot, undefeated in this post-season, Cleveland Cavaliers on 1 day of rest. There is always the argument that they will keep the momentum from the last series and the Cavs will be rusty, but I think rest is very important, especially playing in back-to-back seven game series. The Raptors have played almost twice as many games as the Cavs (14-8). Besides the fatigue, the Cavs have been playing unstoppable with their 3 point shooting, which is never something a team should rely on, but if it works and wins games, then keep doing it. The Raptors offense is in no way able to keep up with the Cavs' offense, so their best bet is to grind them out and beat them up inside, because when the Cavs go "small" I think the Raptors are going to be in serious trouble of allowing big runs. 2-3 three pointers and an easy bucket in a row is all the Cavs need to open up the flood gates. Before the playoffs started I picked the Cavs over the Raptors in 6, but with how the playoffs have played out and how the Cavs have been playing, I'm taking Cleveland in 5 to advance to the NBA Finals again to face the Golden State Warriors.

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GSW vs HOU Western Conference Finals - NBA Playoffs 2015

Congratulations to both the Warriors and Rockets on making it to the Western Conference Finals. Both franchises haven't been to this round of playoffs for a number of years. I'm still surprised the Rockets made it this far after the meltdown by the LA Clippers. I wish the Spurs would have made it to the WCFs instead of the Rockets because I believe they are the only team that could have beat the Warriors.

Houston stands no chance against the Warriors. In the 4 game regular season series, the Warriors swept the Rockets 4-0. That included 2 games at Houston. The first game of the regular season series was the closest game of the series, which the Warriors won by 11. Followed by a 12 point victory at Golden State. When the MVP contest was as close as could be, the Warriors thumped the Rockets in Houston by 25. In the season finale of the series the Warriors won once again by 13 at Golden State. A regular season sweep doesn't define what the playoff series will result in, but to me I think there is a clear indication that the Rockets don't match up well with the Warriors.

It will be fun to watch the MVP and MVP runner up play against each other, but Curry will show why he ultimately is this season's MVP over James Harden. Dwight Howard will get very frustrated this series with the swarming defense the Warriors play and the tough-nosed defense of Andrew Bogut. The Warriors have so many weapons and play too good of defense to lose this series.

I will give the Rockets the benefit of the doubt of not getting swept because they did beat the Clippers in a 7 game series after being down 3-1 and down 19pts in the 4th quarter on the road in Game 6. Unless they play miraculous, I don't see any surprises in this series.

Golden State will win the series 4-1. The Warriors will lose a game in Houston due to Houston's desperation not to get swept.

Warriors win 4-1

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Stephen Curry KIA NBA MVP 2015

Steph Curry NBA MVP

Steph Curry was the obvious MVP of the 2014-2015 NBA season. He lead his team to the best record in the league and was top 6 in scoring and assist per game. He had an unbelievable season that can only get better if the Golden State Warriors win the NBA Finals. Hopefully the Houston Rockets advance to the Western Conference Finals to have a battle between the 1st and 2nd place vote-getters Curry and James Harden.
I predicted the MVP results in March correctly. Here are the results:

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