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CJ McCollum has experience taking over huge video games. And the method he engineers an offense when surrounded by shooting is electrifying.
They can toss Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris or even Patrick Beverley at Doncic. And while Houston is banged up, the Thunder are at complete strength. Both ought to play more in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers (1) over Trail Blazers or Grizzlies (8 )
If the Blazers hang onto the 8th seed they recently snagged from the Grizzlies, this series has some potential.
Damian Lillard is on an outright tear in the bubble. If hes anywhere near this level in the playoffs– and the Lakers will not have Avery Bradley to trouble him– Portland may steal some video games.
CJ McCollum has experience taking over big games. Everything is coming together at the exact right time for the Blazers.
However LeBron James is still LeBron James. And Portland doesnt have anyone to check him. The Lakers would likely win this series, however weve reached a point where a Blazers upset wouldnt be shocking.
When it comes to the Grizzlies, they have plenty of interesting young talent, however they appear less prepared to challenge The King on the games most significant stage
. Los Angeles Clippers (2) over Dallas Mavericks (7 ).
This series has the potential to be a blast. Like Lillard, Luka Doncic has actually been unbelievable in Orlando. Hes the only gamer with at least 100 minutes and a much better box plus/minus in August. And the method he engineers an offense when surrounded by shooting is electrifying.
But this Clippers lineup is simply too loaded. They can toss Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris and even Patrick Beverley at Doncic. They might not be able to stop him, but thats a group that will most certainly make things difficult.
On the other end, Kawhi, PG and Lou Williams will pick apart a defense that ranks 18th this season (and 19th in the bubble)
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Denver Nuggets (3) over Utah Jazz (6 ).
When these 2 groups played Aug. 8, it took 2 overtimes for the Nuggets to come out on top. Even without their second-leading scorer, Bojan Bogdanovic, the Jazz arent going down without a fight.
Rudy Gobert remains one of the video games most impactful gamers, and hes held Nikola Jokic well below his normal production in head-to-head matchups. Donovan Mitchell may be prone to wild swings in performance (hes shooting 38.2 percent in Orlando), but he can go off at a minutes notice.
The Nuggets must have lots of responses, though. With Jokic orchestrating from the middle of the floor or low post and Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. (averaging 22.0 points in the bubble) flying around him, Utahs defense (15th in the bubble) will be overwhelmed
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Oklahoma City Thunder (4) over Houston Rockets (5 ).
If Chris Paul knocks the Rockets out of the playoffs, the tachometers on take devices around the internet will redline.
Last summer, Houston traded him and a load of choices to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook, who might miss out on a decent chunk of this series.
And while Houston is banged up, the Thunder are at full strength. On the season, OKC is plus-7.4 when CP3 shares the floor with Danilo Gallinari. Both must play more in the playoffs.
Steven Adams may be the biggest problem for the Rockets. Against the micro-ball philosophy, he should delight in the boards and get lots of open looks from Paul, Dennis Schroder and increasing star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
