Western Conference Semi Final

Dude…

The first round of the NBA Playoffs is complete. Some games have even started today. The OKC Thunder dismantled the Pelicans in 5 games. They now face Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks as they beat the LA Clippers in 6 games. Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota T-Wolves SWEPT ya boys team the Phoenix Suns. They face the reigning champs in the Denver Nuggets. Yes, the T-Wolves are up 2-0 but anything can happen in a playoff series. Who wins and moves onto the Western Conference Finals? Here is The Dudes latest predictions!!!

#1 OKC Thunder vs. #5 Dallas Mavericks

This is OKC’s first huge test in the playoffs. Sure, they had to play New Orleans. However, Zion was hurt for the majority of that series and the Pelicans aren’t the same team without him. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is demonstrating why he is a MVP Finalist by slicing and dicing on the offensive side of the floor. Jalen Williams has OKC barking up a storm. Chet Holgrem is blocking shots and this young team is ready to face off against the Mavs. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have something to say to the youngest ever #1 overall seed, it’s not your year. Kyrie has looked as spectacular as ever. He’s playing with the same effort, intensity, and happiness we haven’t seen in him since he was in Cleveland. Luka Doncic is still the stone cold killer we remember. If he puts his eyes on you, it’s game over. Ask James Harden. The threes are flying and the Mavs looks like they’re having fun, which is completely different from the frustration we normally see out of Luka. This should be a fun series to grab some cold beer, and a nice bag of popcorn, this one is going to be good. I think the OKC Thunder will have a problem with the veteran leadership in Doncic and Irving. They will control the game and force OKC into a corner that they won’t be able to succeed in. I have the Mavs winning in 6.

#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #3 Minnesota Timberwolves

This series may be already over. It’s unfair that I’m doing these predictions while the T-Wolves are up 2-0 and heading back into Minnesota. The big question is, can the Nuggets avoid a sweep. Game on was electric with both teams going at it. ANT had 40 and pushed past the Nuggets in game one. Game 2 wasn’t even close. This T-Wolves defense is like a Wolf Pack. They swarm to the ball, playing with pace and pressure. Jokic looks like the only player right now that can handle this defense. Jamal Murray lost his shit and threw an ice pack on the court mid game. Should be a suspension, but we will see. The T-Wolves won by 26 WITHOUT RUDY GOBERT!! I mean, Jaden McDaniels is locking people down. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has suddenly turned into Heat Ray Allen, draining every ball that gets tossed his way. Naz Reid could be a starter on most teams in the NBA, but is destroying bench players and not allowing for the other stars to get going as well. I mean, it’s like trying to play in a blizzard against the T-Wolves. There’s no room, no vision, and no help. This series is over. I assume The Joker won’t go down without a fight, snatching one game, but that’s it. I have the T-Wolves advancing in 5.