Predict the first round - West

[EricaLubarsky]

Vote for the winners and post your number of game predictions and misc. thoughts in the comments.

[Bryan_Wilson]

I have-
DAL in 6. Game 7 would favor Hou so Mavs need to come out swinging. Mix in some zone to keep Harden out of the paint and off the line. Force Harden to beat you shooting jumpers every game. Hack a Rocket to freeze out Harden or when we are in the penalty. Just for the love of God rebound after the missed FT please.

GSW in 4. I wanted to give NO 1 win but I just don't know what to expect from a team entering it's first playoff birth. I think GSW defense is just too good and their jumpers on offense lead to long rebounds taking a little out of NO's best weapon of rebounding. I don't know what Holiday will give and I think GSW length, athleticism and depth is just too much. Kerr won't let them overlook NO.

LAC in 7. I'm in the minority on this one likely but Splitter is a giant "?" and TP just doesn't seem to be the TP we have seen in the past. The offense running through Leonard is anything but consistent. Ultimately I give LAC the edge for having home court in game 7 and Spurs are not as good on the road this year as last year. If Splitter was 100% I'd probably pick Spurs but Jordan and Griffin is too much for Duncan and Baynes. CP3 is also playing the best I've seen him play.

MEM in 7. This one is really tough because both teams are limping(Wes, Afflalo, Wright, Conley, Allen). My gut just tells me Conley will be healthy enough to make the difference. I've always thought Afflalo was overrated so even if he is relatively healthy I don't see that being a big factor. LA and Lillard carry them but ultimately fall short.

[EricaLubarsky]

GSW in 5
MEM in 6
DAL in 7
SAS in 7

[FreshJive]

Apologies. I am the vote for Houston. It was a misclick. Mavs in 4.

[bunkmoreland]

I will take:

GSW in 4
Mavs in 6
Spurs in 6
Grizz in 7

[mac222b]

I would love to see the whiny crybabies form LA bounced in the first round

[GermanStandard]

GSW in 4
HOU in 6 (sorry im a realist)
Clippers in 7
Grizz in 5

[FreshJive]

Does anyone else think the Clippers might beat the Warriors if CP3 is healthy? Guarding the point is the Clippers biggest strength. They have struggled against the two/three in the regular season, but Barnes seems to have stepped it up recently, so Klay might not go off as would be expected. Griffin is playing out of his mind, and Green will probably have a difficult time containing him. Bogut is outmatched overall, but Jordan should be an easy defensive assignment for him. The only advantage I see for GS is their depth.

[EricaLubarsky]

I dont think they'll win, but I do think it's the best matchup

[TripleDipping]

Drama-wise, Clips/Warriors is the most interesting matchup. But I'm really hoping for a Grizzlies/Bulls finals. A lot of great storylines plus I find it hard to not root for the underdogs in Memphis.