Western Conference Playoff Preview + Best Bets

After one of the worst regular seasons we’ve all witnessed, that had multiple teams tanking as early as January, we’ve finally reached the NBA playoffs. And if the Play-In games are an indicator of what we have in store, I believe the playoffs will be a HIT. Today, I am going to preview every series from the Western Conference.

 

1 Thunder vs. 8 Suns
Listen, the Thunder are going to win this series, and you won’t find a soul to tell you otherwise. They are -3000 to do so, but the only real question is: how easily will they win, and how much of a fight will this Suns team put up? No one liked this Phoenix team coming into the year after trading Kevin Durant and really only getting back Jalen Green in return. No one expected a playoff run. I think in this series there’s only real value in betting the Suns to grab two games or the Thunder to sweep 4-0, so I have decided to go with the Suns to show some fight and the Thunder to not use their whole bag of tricks in Round 1.

 

Best bet: Over 5.5 games (+275)

 

2 Spurs vs. 7 Trail Blazers
The Spurs are really good, and everyone knew they would be, but I’m not sure anyone expected it to happen quite this fast—winning 62 games before Wemby’s 23rd birthday. And it’s not just him—this team is absolutely STACKED with young talent. The only knock on them coming into this postseason is lack of playoff experience, which is why I think the Portland Trail Blazers are the PERFECT first opponent: another very fun, young team that is a little ahead of schedule and also lacks playoff experience, with the exception of Jrue Holiday. The Portland Trail Blazers are playing with house money, and they unfortunately do not have the firepower or playoff experience to compete with the Spurs.

 

Best bet: Spurs sweep (+225)

 

3 Nuggets vs. 6 Timberwolves
I will tell you one thing: I will never get tired of watching a playoff series between these two teams. Hopefully, we get a fully healthy Anthony Edwards for this one, and it’ll be must-see TV. The Denver Nuggets had a somewhat underwhelming first 70 games of the year, going 42-28 and dealing with numerous injuries to important role players throughout the year, but they are finally mostly healthy and finished the year on a 12-game win streak. I do not think, even with a fully healthy Ant, the Timberwolves will be able to win this series, but I would be shocked if they did not get at least two games where Ant goes into god mode, which is why I like Denver to win in six, or -1.5 games.

 

Best bets:
Denver 4-2 (+450)
Denver -1.5 games (-125)

 

4 Lakers vs. 5 Rockets
The Lakers’ late-season injuries are easily one of the biggest disappointments coming into this postseason. This could’ve easily been one of the best series of the entire playoffs, but instead, unfortunately, it feels somewhat ceremonial for LeBron. Unless they find enough horse tranquilizers to load up Luka with, the Lakers do not have a chance in this series—but I do not think the King is going down without a fight.

 

Best bets:
LeBron to have most points in series (-110)
Lakers +2.5 games (-110)