Media Prediction SuperThread

[chris_in_pdx]

http://sportsnaut.com/2016/04/complete-2016-nba-playoffs-preview-predictions-western-conference/

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers

Season Series: Los Angeles wins 3-1

• Nov. 20: Portland 102, Los Angeles 91
• Nov. 30: Los Angeles 102, Portland 87
• Jan. 6: Los Angeles 109, Portland 98
• Mar. 24: Los Angeles 96, Portland 94

Key Matchup: Chris Paul vs. Damian Lillard

The old guard against the new guard. This promises to be one of the best individual battles of the first round of the playoffs. An All-Star snub, Lillard is coming off a 2015-16 campaign that saw him average over 25 points per game while shooting 38 percent from three-point range.

Meanwhile, Paul had to legitimately carry the load in Los Angeles with Blake Griffin missing more than half the season. He led the Clippers to a 54-28 record and the fourth seed out west. Putting up potentially the best season of his career, Paul averaged over 19 points and 10 assists per game.

While the Clippers did get the best of Portland in the regular season, Paul struggled big time. He shot just 41 percent from the field while committing over three turnovers per outing. Meanwhile, Lillard also failed to perform at a high level against the Clippers. He shot just 32 percent from the field in four games.

The Clippers will win if…

…They can get production from others outside of Chris Paul. While Griffin might be back in the fold, he’s still not playing at the level we have become accustomed to. In reality, it might be too much to ask of him to just turn it on in the playoffs. If that’s the case, someone else is going to have to step up.

Going against a three-point happy Blazers team, this might have to come in the form of J.J. Redick, who led the NBA with a 49 percent mark from three-point range. The former Duke standout did shoot at a lower clip from distance against the Blazers than he did the rest of the NBA. That’s going to have to change if the Clippers are going to come out on top.

The Trail Blazers will win if…

…Lillard and C.J. McCollum lose their minds. These two might very well be able to keep Portland in this series long enough for others to step up. The primary issue here is that Los Angeles is so much deeper than the Blazers in terms of talent. If these two don’t play at elite levels (both of them), it’s going to be a major issue for Portland.

But as we saw against some of the elite teams during the regular season, this back-court duo can also put up the magic at times. When they are playing at high levels together, there’s not a team Portland can’t beat in the NBA. Just ask the Warriors.

Prediction: Portland wins 4-3

Los Angeles might have the two-best players in this series. It also boasts a deeper, more talented roster. Though, we simply have no idea if Griffin is going to be up for the task of taking on a solid front-court after missing a vast majority of the season with multiple injuries.

If Griffin isn’t playing at his normal level, the Clippers are going to be in trouble. That’s only magnified by the presences of Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh in the low post for Portland.[\QUOTE]

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Wh-wh-whaaaat?!

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Blazers in 6!

 

[tester551]

I liked that he mentioned that the Clips will be bothered by the low post defensive presence of Meyers.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I liked that he mentioned that the Clips will be bothered by the low post defensive presence of Meyers.

So... he's annoying enough to impact the performance of the other team's players, even in a suit, sitting behind the bench?

If that doesn't scream "sign him to the max," I don't know what does...

 

[Strenuus]

It lost all credibility when it forgot that Meyers is not playing at all. *facepalm*

 

[Natebishop3]

It lost all credibility when it forgot that Meyers is not playing at all. *facepalm*

The Blazers will most likely switch Batum onto CP3 because of his length and athleticism. Will Barton and Arron Afflalo provide a nice one-two punch off the bench for the Blazers, and they know they can always count on Zach Randolph to put up 20 and 10.

Also, don't miss Robin Lopez beating up on the Clippers new mascot for some family fun!

 

[Orion Bailey]

The Blazers will most likely switch Batum onto CP3 because of his length and athleticism. Will Barton and Arron Afflalo provide a nice one-two punch off the bench for the Blazers, and they know they can always count on Zach Randolph to put up 20 and 10.

Also, don't miss Robin Lopez beating up on the Clippers new mascot for some family fun!

Your so behind the times... You forgot that he forgot that our 6th man is actually Uncle Cliffy the SPliffy!!!!

 

[Eastoff]

The Blazers will most likely switch Batum onto CP3 because of his length and athleticism. Will Barton and Arron Afflalo provide a nice one-two punch off the bench for the Blazers, and they know they can always count on Zach Randolph to put up 20 and 10.

Also, don't miss Robin Lopez beating up on the Clippers new mascot for some family fun!

It'll be really tough with Jamal Crawford coming off both benches

 

[Natebishop3]

It'll be really tough with Jamal Crawford coming off both benches

Reversible jerseys ftw!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Reversible jerseys ftw!

That would be Awesome!!!

He gets pulled out of the game by them... enters the game for us, but never leaves the court....

 

[Strenuus]

That would be Awesome!!!

He gets pulled out of the game by them... enters the game for us, but never leaves the court....

It'd get them back for pulling that stunt with CJ so I'm in!!!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[BBert]

Spurs>Griz and Warriors>Rockets isn't even fair.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Fivethirtyeight.com has us at 31% chance to make it to the next round.

 

[Strenuus]

Spurs>Griz and Warriors>Rockets isn't even fair.

I think if Griz upset the Spurs it's a monumental upset... whereas Rockets upset over warriors is meh.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think if Griz upset the Spurs it's a monumental upset... whereas Rockets upset over warriors is meh.

I agree. Houston has serious talent... just disfunctional.

Stren. Feeling better?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Stren. Feeling better?

Yeah, everything okay bud? You seemed pretty different last night.

 

[Strenuus]

Yeah, everything okay bud? You seemed pretty different last night.

If I'm being transparent, I was up for a full time job w/ benefits ($15/hour) and it was me and one other person. Found out yesterday I didn't get it. Eh. All good now. Just happened to fall during a game. haha.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If I'm being transparent, I was up for a full time job w/ benefits ($15/hour) and it was me and one other person. Found out yesterday I didn't get it. Eh. All good now. Just happened to fall during a game. haha.

That blows dude. Sorry you didn't get it.

 

[Orion Bailey]

If I'm being transparent, I was up for a full time job w/ benefits ($15/hour) and it was me and one other person. Found out yesterday I didn't get it. Eh. All good now. Just happened to fall during a game. haha.

That just means there is a better opportunity for you around the corner.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers in 5-6 games!

 

[Strenuus]

That just means there is a better opportunity for you around the corner.

There better be. I got 6 months to find one.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I honestly think we could win both of the first two in LA, as CP3/Griff/DJ try to remember how to play together, and we're riding Hendo/King Crabbe/Hark/Aminu on hot streaks.

 

[theprunetang]

It'll be really tough with Jamal Crawford coming off both benches

I can't wait to blow them out during game 1. Hopefully we'll see some Boumtje Boumtje time!

 

[Chris Craig]

I honestly think we could win both of the first two in LA, as CP3/Griff/DJ try to remember how to play together, and we're riding Hendo/King Crabbe/Hark/Aminu on hot streaks.

Omg if we swept them...omg!

 

[Chris Craig]

I can't wait to blow them out during game 1. Hopefully we'll see some Boumtje Boumtje time!

Tell me he is not on the Clippers...ID be surprised to hear a team signed him

 

[theprunetang]

Tell me he is not on the Clippers...ID be surprised to hear a team signed him

Definitely not. I was just playing on the author's knowledge thinking Meyers is playing.

 

[jlprk]

Season Series: Los Angeles wins 3-1

• 
  
• Nov. 20: Portland 102, Los Angeles 91
• Nov. 30: Los Angeles 102, Portland 87
• Jan. 6: Los Angeles 109, Portland 98
• Mar. 24: Los Angeles 96, Portland 94
  

What are our chances if Rivers had been a sportsman, like all coaches in the past in that situation, and had let McCollum play? The season record would be 2-2, mathematically proving that we will win this series.

 

[BBert]

That just means there is a better opportunity for you around the corner.

This