It wasn’t quite the record-breaking season that 2016 was but Golden State Warriors have set themselves up as the team to beat. Last season’s runners-up in the NBA final, were the first to qualify, the first win divisional and conference titles, and for good measure, nabbed the best regular season record in the NBA.
Fifteen other teams will be looking to knock them off their perch, and last year’s champions, Cleveland Cavaliers are in no mood to surrender their title meekly. Others such as the Washington Wizards, whose regular season record from the end of December was as good as any of the favourites, wait in the wings.
There are a number of dark horses, whom history favours or an inkling here and there, puts them in the frame for an upset at the first hint of a slip or any sign of a lack of concentration.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Arguably the more competitive of the two conferences, the Boston Celtics ended the regular season as number 1 seed. It seemed unlikely when they were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers last week. Even unlikelier were the subsequent four consecutive losses suffered by the Cavs to Atlanta (3) and Toronto.
The Celtics face the Chicago Bulls in the first round, with the failed deadline day grab for Jimmy Butler adding a spicy twist to the match-ups. Rajon Rondo faces his former club, looking to correct his low-scoring record against the Celtics and he will need to be flying if the Bulls are to succeed.
It’s a tough call though but it may take until game 6 for the Celtics to pull through against a team they have never lost to in the play-offs and who held them 2 – 2 during the regular season.
The Cavs meanwhile face Indiana Pacers whom they beat 3 – 1 during the regular season. It’s hard to see this being anything other than a comfortable win for last season’s champions.
Toronto Raptors held a similarly convincing record over Milwaukee Bucks. However, injuries cast a curse over both teams and while the Raptors fared better across the course of the season, Kris Middleton’s return was the catalyst for the Bucks to end on a 20 – 10 run. This could be the closest of all the play-offs, with the Bucks to pull off a surprise in 7.
The final Eastern Conference tie sees Washington Wizards face the Atlanta Hawks. History favours the Wizards, with a 3 – 1 edge during regular season, and 3 – 2 in previous play-off meetings.
The two sides enjoyed polar opposite seasons. The Wizs 7 – 13 start turned into a 49 – 33 finish and their first divisional title in 39 years. Contrast that with the Hawks who went from 32 – 23 to 43 – 39 at the end of the regular campaign. While it will be close, expect the Wizards better form to shine through in a decisive game 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Let the procession begin. Golden State face Portland Trail Blazers, a team against whom they went 4 – 0 during the regular season and have a 1 – 0 in the play-offs. Curry and Thompson are likely to be far too strong for Lillard and McCollum in the back court, but even with Nurkic returning, the Warriors will win this in a clean sweep.
San Antonio Spurs face Memphis Grizzlies in an intriguing battle. Despite the disparity in their over records, the Grizzlies held their more glamorous opponents 2 – 2 during the regular season. It hints that Memphis could do well but reality is likely to prove different, particularly in Chandler Parsons absence.
The Grizzlies lost 13 of the final 20 games and I expect the Spurs to win this in 5.
In the third game, Houston Rockets face Oklahoma City Thunder. While the Rockets hold a 3 – 1 regular season advantage, Thunder trump that with a 6 – 1 play-off record. James Harden and Russell Westbrook, both candidates for MVP this season, face off but Westbrook’s biggest enemy might be himself if Patrick Beverley gets under his skin as he has previously. Houston though, are too strong and should take this in 5.
The final tie is the LA Clippers versus Utah Jazz. Clippers hold a 3 – 1 regular season advantage but Jazz lead 2 – 0 in the play-offs. And it’s the latter record which will tell. The Clippers are one of the unluckiest sides in the post-season, beaten by their opponents’ good fortune or their own incompetence.
The Jazz will slow this right down and suck the Clippers into their web, even with Chris Paul leading LA. It’s going to be tight, and down to the last match but the Jazz in 7 is the call.
STATS
- Golden State Warriors hold the best 2016-17 regular season record with 67 wins to 15 losses.
- Russell Westbrook (OKC Thunder) leads the field with an average of 31.9 points per game this season.
- DeAndre Jordan (LA Clippers) and Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) hold the record for most rebounds this season (25).
- Golden State Warriors hold the records for most Points per game (116); most Assists per game (30.4); most Steals per game (9.5); highest Field Goal % (49.5%); and, best +/- (11.6).
CURRENT ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)
Eastern Conference winners – Cleveland Cavaliers: 8/15 with Paddy Power – Bet Here!
Western Conference winners – Golden State Warriors: 4/11 with Stan James – Bet Here!
NBA Finals outright – Golden State Warriors: 4/6 with Bet Victor – Bet Here!
SUMMING UP!
All the evidence points to the Warriors winning the title their star-studded line-up dictates. It won’t be easy though, and last season points to their vulnerabilities. While the Spurs are the obvious team to bring their hopes crashing down, the Eastern Conference has a few teams capable of winning the NBA Finals outright.
Boston Celtics are best placed to realise the Eastern Challenge but it will be a brave man to look beyond the Cavs reaching the final once again.
If Golden State get past the Rockets in the Conference finals, the scent of revenge will be in their nostrils when they most likely face the Cavs in the Final once again.
MY RECOMMENDED BETS
- Houston Rockets to win the Western Conference: 12/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
- Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference: 11/2 with Stan James – Bet Here!
- San Antonio Spurs to win NBA Finals outright: 7/1 with Paddy Power – Bet Here!
- Cleveland Cavaliers to win NBA Finals outright: 4/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
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