29 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs 2010: Western Conference Short Predictions

Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThis NBA regular was most definitely one of the best to date. The Western Conference once again was dominant, and the drama continued throughout the league.This year the West was hot. Each team that made the cut had 50 or more wins.The match-ups are great and NBA fans should be stoked. This is exactly why I am going to go over the Western match-ups.Battle for Pride: Lakers-ThunderAlready coach Phil Jackson is stirring the pot as he comments on how Kevin Durant is "babied" by referees.Durant had Carolina Panthers jersey
this to say, "If you say that I get superstar calls or I get babied by the refs, that's just taking away from how I play. That's disrespectful to me."This match up should be fantastic, as young superstar Kevin Durant begins a battle with former MVP Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have been playing horrible basketball lately this season, which is why I believe the Thunder will win this series, as they continue playing great ball. The Battle for Texas: Dallas-San AntonioA classic Texas battle will take place in the first round as the Mavericks and the Spurs face off.Dirk Nowitzki and his crew will have home court advantage. Dallas is tough to beat at home and the powerful Mavericks will defeat Tony Parker and company to move onto the second round.Battle of the Cripples: Blazers-SunsThe Portland Trail Chicago Bears jersey
Blazers have had a rough season, with injuries and drama (which won't stop; Brandon Roy is hurt again). But somehow they have managed to win 50 games and earn a sixth seed in the west. Rip City fans are as proud as can be.But unfortunately for Rip City, the Phoenix Suns are on a roll and cannot miss a three-point shot. Brandon Roy may not play in this series due to injury, but that is still not certain.Portland did win the series this season and will pull off a close one, despite injuries, and advance to the second round in six games.The Battle for the Blue; Denver-UtahNow here is a battle for the ages. Denver is most definitely one of the best teams in the NBA, but they have been playing very bad basketball. Melo and crew will need to clean it up if they want to win this series, because Utah is Cincinnati Bengals jersey
playing fantastic ball.This was a tough one, but Denver will clean up their act and use home court advantage to win in seven games to continue to the second round.It will be hard to predict the NBA Finals this year, but for a quick throw out, I see Cleveland playing Dallas before next season.Let start a discussion. What do you think of the western conference?