NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Preview
By Tyler Watts
This article previews the NBA Playoff matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. It provides some nuggets why each team could win and my predictions.
The NBA Playoffs are down to the championship rounds, so I figured I would deviate one more time from the Sacramento Kings content and write a bit about the playoffs.
Today, I will be previewing the Western Conference Finals matchup. I did a recap of the Western Conference Semifinals that you can read here, but this article is forward looking. I will give you a few reasons why each team can take home the title as best in the west and then provide my prediction for the series. Without further ado, let us jump right into it.
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
The words I have been using to describe the Golden State Warriors all season are historically great, and they have a chance to make me look smart in this series. With a series victory, it would mark their third straight NBA finals appearance. They have an opportunity to sweep their third straight playoff series and defeat an All-time great coach in the process. Those are all if though, so why will the Warriors win this series?
First, NBA’s best offensive rating and second in defensive rating this regular season. Difficult to defeat a team in a best of seven series that has no weaknesses. Golden State is that team.
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Second, they have Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Those are perhaps the two best players in the NBA right now and playing side by side. The owners of the last three MVP trophies are both wearing blue and gold. The best one-two punch in the league and playoff series usually go to the team with the best individual player.
Third, they are playing the better basketball at this moment. There is not a team in the world I would pick to knock off this Warriors team right now. They have steamrolled through the first two rounds with eight wins and zero losses and a combined margin of victory of 132 points. They look like a team on a mission and if you don’t believe me check out the highlight video below of their most recent destruction.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
The San Antonio Spurs can win this series. They are a great team and led the NBA in defensive rating this regular season. Kawhi Leonard is going to have led his Spurs to play great defense all series long to beat the Dubs.
Coach Popovich probably has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the Spurs are going to need them. Golden State is the better team on paper, but Coach Pop has seen these Warriors celebrate winning his conference the last two seasons. Each time studying them and trying to find a way to win back his title. Sure, the Warriors got stronger with the addition of Kevin Durant this season, but if anybody knows their weakness, it is Coach Popovich.
The Spurs have beaten two excellent, experienced NBA teams already in these playoffs and each series they finished them off in six games. The Spurs cannot panic if they drop a game or have an off night. They need to focus on the task at hand and keep pushing. They will win the series with defense and by throwing off the rhythm of that incredible Warriors offense.
Prediction
Golden State Warriors in 6 games. Golden State finally loses a playoff game, and the Spurs push them throughout the series. Ultimately the Warriors win game five with the series tied two games apiece and break the Spurs. They go on to win the series in game six in front of a sellout San Antonio crowd in blowout fashion.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, my Western Conference Finals preview. I have enjoyed watching every team left in the NBA playoffs this season. Both the Spurs and Warriors have had remarkable seasons and are built to contend for years to come. Hopefully, this series produces some high drama and plenty of exciting basketball. Tune into ABC for game one and ESPN for the remaining games and enjoy the series.
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