NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Predictions

Its NBA Playoffs time.  We had a wild finish in the West, that saw a lot of teams jockey for position all over the place.  Here's how the first round will break down, courtesy of the program's predictions and a few thoughts I have on each series.

Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs:

Spurs win Series 58.8% of the time in 7 games

 

This percentage here is really a testament to how much the Warriors have really struggled in the second half of the season with injuries and the like.  Since the start of March, they've ranked 11th in TS, 22nd in Turnover Percentage, and were dead even in Ortg and Drtg.  They'll be without Steph in this series, which could cause problems as the Spurs have been good down the stretch.   I think the program is overstating a little how close this series will be, but the Warriors are especially banged up, so any further injury could derail them quickly.

Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Rockets win 94% of the time in 4 games

 

The T-Wolves won on the last day of the season to get the honor of facing the red hot Rockets.   This series will likely be over quickly.

 New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers

Portland wins Series 51.8% of the time in 7 games

 

 The Pelicans have one of the leagues best players, but the Blazers have a very good backcourt duo in Lillard and Mccolum.  The Pelicans were better down the stretch, but they face a team in the Blazers that allowed just a .503 eFG%, third best in the league.  If the Blazers offense shows up they can take this series.

OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz

Jazz win Series 89% in 5 games

The program has loved the Jazz in the second half of the season, and its been pretty unfavorable to the Thunder.  Over the course of the season the Thunder were one of the better defensive teams, but that fell off after the injury to ANdre ROberson.  The Jazz since March have ranked 4th in TS% at 57.7%, and 1st overall in DRtg at just 95.7.