After an exciting Play-In Tournament, the NBA Playoffs are getting started. Teams will be fighting for a championship, and in the end, a champion will be crowned.
There are some strong teams in both conferences, but the Western Conference is extremely competitive. It has been a battle all season, and with so much talent, the championship is up for grabs. The Western Conference is worth keeping an eye on, and there are three teams that are especially dangerous. Here are three West teams that could win it all.
1.) Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a phenomenal regular season. They finished with a record of 68-14 and won their last four games. The Thunder looked like a contender from the beginning, and their potential MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the way. He averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and five rebounds. The Thunder secured the first seed of the West, and had to wait to see who they would play in the first round. Now, they have their opponent. Oklahoma City will face the Memphis Grizzlies, who are led by their star player Ja Morant. The Thunder reached the second round of the playoffs last season before losing to the Dallas Mavericks. This was their first year in the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. This time around, the Thunder are better and they are seeking revenge. The Thunder have a shot at winning it all, and they are a team to keep an eye on.
2.) Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking their first championship since their 2019-20 win over the Miami Heat. The Lakers finished the regular season with a record of 50-32. Los Angeles was one of the most talked about teams towards the end of the season, as they were involved in a shocking trade. They traded their veteran big Anthony Davis in exchange for Luka Doncic. This move caught everyone by surprise, and now, the Lakers have one of the NBA’s top, young stars. The Lakers are in a good position to win a championship, and with a strong playoff performance, they could win their 18th championship.
3.) The Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an up and coming team that exceeded expectations this season. They finished the regular season with a record of 52-30 and earned the second seed of the Western Conference. The Rockets have talented young players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and others whose games are improving right before everyone’s eyes. The Rockets also have veterans like Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet. This mix has worked well for the Rockets, and it makes them a team that can give others trouble. Inexperience could hurt the Rockets, but if they stay focused and play their game, they could surprise some people.
The Rockets have their hands full in their first series, as they take on a veteran Golden State Warriors team. If they can get past the Warriors, they have a legitimate shot at a lengthy playoff run. Or if nothing else, they get a valuable lesson they can take with them going into next season and beyond.
The Western Conference is stacked, and teams mentioned here (and a few others that were not) could win it all.
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