2008 Western Conference Playoffs Predictions

by Bodog Sportsbook | Apr 18 2008

Denver is in and Golden State is out. The Western Conference has been decided and as the NBA gears up for what should be one of the most entertaining playoffs of all time, we asked the Bodog Sportsbook’s confidant extraordinaire the Locksmith for his unique opinion on some first-round predictions.



2008 WESTERN CONFERENCE NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

At first glance these two teams may not have a lot of history between each other. But don’t tell George Karl that. Denver coach George Karl and Phil Jackson of the Lakers have gone head-to-head before, most notably in the 1995-96 NBA finals when the Bulls beat Seattle. Back then they were known as the Super Sonics and Seattle was a comfortable home; much has changed. The more things change, the more things remain the same. Allen Iverson is back in the playoffs against the Lakers and this time he’s not the only one on his team who can score like his days in Philly. A.I., Carmelo Anthony and the gang of Nuggets have been playing playoff-like games for the past two weeks and have had to be solid down the stretch to earn their way into the playoffs. The Lakers have also peaked at the right time, going on a tear to end the regular season and clinch the top spot in the Western Conference. Kobe’s Lakers haven’t gotten past the first round and it’s a Denver Nuggets tradition to win the first game of an opening-round series and then get swept in the next four games. So we ask the Locksmith for his opinion: Who wins this series?

Locksmith: The Lakers do, in six games, for a few reasons. 1) The Lakers can and will play defense; the Nuggets can and won’t. 2) Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom is Jordan and Pippen reincarnated, and Pau Gasol is the superstar version of Luc Longley. You can’t beat that. 3) I would have said Lakers in five, but I love the heart of A.I., and I think he and Melo should be able to carry them to two wins. I think the Nuggets will steal one in L.A., and only get one at home because some pencil-pushing reporter is likely to remind Kobe about his past legal problems in Colorado which will likely result in a 40-plus point outburst.  

New Orleans Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets take on the Dallas Mavericks in this exciting first-round matchup. It’s the seasoned veterans against the young bucks. Dallas wanted the Hornets and now they have them. Down the stretch of the season New Orleans seemed to lose some steam while Dallas, on the strength of elevated play from Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki, seemed to return to the form that saw them make a run to the NBA finals a few years back. It’s the future of the NBA point guards in Chris Paul against Jason Kidd, it’s Dirk Nowitzki trying to shake the ghosts of last year’s monumental upset, it’s Tyson Chandler, David West and Josh Howard’s coming-out party and Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic’s return to the playoff spotlight. This might be the series to watch. So Locksmith, who wins?

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Locksmith: This one could go either way, but I have Dallas winning this series. But it will be close. Chris Paul and Peja Stojakovic are big game performers and New Orleans is extremely tough to beat at home. But I think this series means more to Dallas: They have a veteran team, they understand and are used to playoff pressure and they have a bunch of players that are playing with monkey-sized chips on their shoulders. I think the will of Nowitzki and Kidd trying to win their first title and the overall
depth of Dallas will prove to be the difference. I think if this one goes seven games, the experience of Dallas will help them close it out on the road in New Orleans.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns

This is the series we have all be waiting for: The rematch of last year’s classic series. We have Shaq versus Duncan, Parker versus Nash and Ginobili versus Amare. Both of these teams are well coached and well balanced. The Spurs are the defending champions, but Shaq has vowed to change all of that. These two teams meet almost every year in the first round so we all know the story. Let’s skip to the meat and potatoes. OK Locksmith, let’s have it.

Locksmith: I got Phoenix in seven, for one reason and one reason only: the Big Cactus, Shaquille O’Neal. The addition of Shaq to the Suns was the missing piece of the playoff puzzle for the Suns. Shaq may not be the dominant offensive force he once was, but what he does do for the Suns is cause Tim Duncan problems and allow Amare Stoudemire freedom to run wild and reckless on offense without a constant double team.



Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets

Another rematch of last year’s first round. Last year the Rockets gave up a 3-2 series lead and watched the Jazz march onwards to the Western Conference finals. This year, the Rockets seem to mean business and T-Mac will be trying to shake the knock that he can’t take his team out of the first round. The Utah Jazz are a solid squad and have their own version of Stockton and Malone in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. So what’s up, Locksmith? Are we going to be watching another teary-eyed, speechless Tracy McGrady press conference when this series is all said and done?

Locksmith: I hate to say it, but yes. It’s going to be another first-round early exit for Houston, but it won’t be all on T-Mac. Utah has a huge rebounding edge in this one. The playoffs are where the impact of the loss of Yao Ming will truly be seen. Scoring is always down in the playoffs and without that strong inside presence and rebounding Ming would have provided, the Jazz will have a field day in the paint. Rafer Alston doesn’t strike me as the type of playoff-caliber point guard that can lead a team. T-Mac can expect double teams all series long so he might struggle. Combine that with the Jazz being almost unbeatable at home and I got Utah in a quick six.    

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OK, so there you have it. Those are the Locksmith’s picks for the Western Conference first-round playoffs. As we all gear up for one hell of a first-round show, it’s time to ask yourself, who do you like? Add to the excitement of the Western Conference NBA playoffs and bet on each game of the 2008 NBA playoffs with the Bodog Sportsbook.