The 2023-24 NBA regular season ended in anticipation for a thrilling western conference playoff race. MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are the favorites to make a deep run to the championship while the young Thunder and Timberwolves want to prove they can compete and beat the best veteran teams left. No one should underestimate the resurgence of New Orleans, and Phoenix is still the team everyone wants out in order for a fair chance at the finals. Four talented squads will advance to the second round. Time to break down which four have the best chance.
#7 Los Angeles Lakers v. #2 Denver Nuggets
The easiest series out west. Nikola Jokic is an MVP front runner and his supporting cast of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope outmatch LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell. Lakers coach Darvin Ham struggled to adjust against Jokic and Denver’s offense in every second half of their regular season games. Don’t expect that to change in the series.
Prediction: Nuggets win series 4-0
#8 New Orleans Pelicans v. #1 Oklahoma City Thunder
Similar to Miami versus Boston in the east, New Orleans is without their star franchise player this series. Unlike the Heat, the Pelicans have a good amount of scoring depth to make their first round series fun. They’re also fortunate the west’s number one seed is both in their first playoff series and as young as the University of North Carolina’s basketball team.
If New Orleans has any chance of taking advantage of Oklahoma City’s young starting five, the veteran starters have to be their best players each game. Point-guard CJ McCollum has been phenomenal in previous playoff series, but he needs to get out of his scoring slump. Shooting guard Brandon Ingram and center Jonas Valanciunas can add more on offense and help slow down Thunder center Chet Holmgren and guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
The number one seeded Thunder had a top three offense, but their youth will make this a longer series compared to a more experienced team like Denver or Phoenix. The Pelicans are desperate to stay in the playoffs long enough for franchise star Zion Williamson to return. It might not be enough to slow down a resurgent and determined team coached by Mark Daigneault.
Prediction: Thunder win series 4-2
#5 Dallas Mavericks v. #4 Los Angeles Clippers
This was the first clinched matchup before the regular season ended. The series stars are Los Angeles forward duo Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, while Dallas counters with guard duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Two factors will determine the winner: coaching and which team can slow down the other’s elite duo. James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Terance Mann can counter Doncic and Irving with how their offensive playmaking, but P.J. Washington Jr. and Daniel Gafford might struggle against George and Leonard if this series goes more than five games.
Coaching favors Tyronn Lue over Jason Kidd. Lue’s been in harder situations ranging from championship finals experience to roster depth issues in previous playoff rounds. His adjustments will determine how many games the Clippers can beat Dallas.
Prediction: Clippers win series 4-2
#6 Phoenix Suns v. #3 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Suns dominated the Timberwolves during the regular season. Yet Minnesota looks different with guard Anthony Edwards and center Rudy Gobert elevating the team’s nightly performances.
There’s no doubt Phoenix forward Kevin Durant will play some of his best postseason basketball, but he’ll need more help from guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, forward Grayson Allen and center Jusuf Nurkic. The Timberwolves match up well against Phoenix’s starting five. Point guard Mike Conley and center Naz Reid bring the needed veteran presence and scoring depth. It depends on how franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns continues to ease back into heavy minutes and if he comes off the bench compared to his regular starting role. If Towns continues coming in from the bench like he did in game one, Phoenix will have a hard time winning the series.
Prediction: Suns win series 4-2
Regular season western conference playoffs prediction record: 5-3
JD's Sportscorner 
Agree with Denver and OKC. 👍🏼 However, I got the Mavs and the Twolves over the Clips and the Suns.
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