NBA Playoff Blowouts Mystery

One might expect the Eastern conference to be a lot less competitive, but the Western Conference has been very enigmatic as the first round of these playoffs have gone on. Only 2 close games, with a classic double-overtime thriller between the Spurs and Suns. The Rockets also pulled out a close win over the Jazz in Utah, by just 2 points and a huge block by Rocket Carl Landry. In the east, we have had just 1 real close game with Philly pulling off an upset at the end, otherwise it's been teams just trading blowouts.

In the Washington vs. Cleveland series, we've seen statements made by both teams. Cleveland blows out Washington in game 2. Washington returns home for Game 3 and blows out the Cavs by even more points. In their past playoff series, they had some great, thrilling close games, with King James or Agent 0 factoring into the win, usually near the buzzer. It isn't anything like that this go round. The Celtics have routed the Hawks several times now, and that's to be expected. Boston is definitely a superior squad to most teams, and in the weaker East they should blowout the upstart Hawks. Philadelphia provides one of the few surprises in the East for some compelling contests against stalwart Detroit. They also may provide the reason we are seeing blowouts. A team like Detroit might underestimate Philly and think they can just get by. Doesn't work that way. Same goes for Cleveland and Washington, are they winning huge, then assuming it comes easily?

But the West is where the question mark really lies. It was one of the most competitive seasons in recent years, with the standings decided in the final week of play. The Lakers captured the 1 spot, with New Orleans second. Teams like Dallas and Denver were lower seeds, but in the East they'd be winning playoff series. The Spurs Suns first game made us all believe "wow this Western Conference playoffs will be spectacular". Now Phoenix finds itself down 0-3. The Spurs as reigning champs are just a great example of how good teams execute. They put on offensive and defensive clinics. The shots almost always fall for San Antonio, and if a team like Phoenix isn't keeping up, they lose. Bye Bye Phoenix, unless you can really pull off a serious gameplan and upset these ferocious world champs.

Expect the action to pick up as we get to the Western final four, Round 2. If it comes down to Spurs vs. New Orleans or Dallas, and Lakers vs. Jazz (or Rockets), we've got the makings of some real classics.

3 Teams & 2 West Playoff Spots

As of Tuesday night there are 3 Western Conference teams vying for the final 2 playoff spots. Dallas, Denver and Golden State are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and all 3 make for dangerous first-round playoff opponents. The records and standings are stacked up as follows:

7) Mavericks 49-29

8) Nuggets 47-31

8) Warriors 47-31

The Mavs currently have the 2 game lead on Denver or Golden State. All 3 teams were in action and picked up wins Tuesday to keep the playoff race competitive.

The Dallas Mavs defeated the Seattle Sonics 99-83 thanks to Jason Terry's 22 and Josh Howard's 17. Lead scorer for the Sonics was Earl Watson with 22. Durant had an impressive jam down the lane and also tossed a great ally-oop to his fellow rookie Jeff Green. Dirk Nowitzki was back from his home country of Germany to participate in the game, helping his team to the win. This marked Dallas' 13th straight victory over Seattle, and also marked Seatlle's 60th loss this season, a franchise record for them.

The Nuggets took out the Clippers to avoid their 3rd straight loss. Carmelo Anthony finished with 36 points and Allen Iverson had 21 to help the Nuggets win over the Clips 117-99.

Golden State was also able to keep pace by handling the Sacramento Kings 140-132. Then again most teams have this season. There was a sick behind the back no-look pass from Monte Ellis to Baron Davis amongst the top highlights in this one. In the Warriors' victory, scored 33 points to lead the way and Stephen Jackson chipped in 20. Andris Biedrins pulled down an impressive 17 rebounds.

All 3 teams have tasted the playoffs as of last season, with the Warriors playing spoiler as they took out the Mavs, shocking the NBA world. The Nuggets seem to have the better chance at landing a playoff spot based on their tie-breaker advantage. Denver heads into enemy territory in Oakland on Thursday which should decide the final playoff spot.

2 More NBA Stars Return to Wild West

Wednesday night saw not just the return of Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki, but also the returns of two more NBA All-Stars. Both were stars from Los Angeles as well. Pau Gasol suited up for the Lakers, while Elton Brand suited for the Clippers. The returns of both players are welcome, however the Lakers are in the hunt for the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are far from the playoff hopes right now. Brand scored an impressive 19 in his return helping his Clips beat the Sonics 102-84. Brand's been one of the all-star players out the longest. Paul Gasol returned to add just 10 points in 31 minutes to help the Lakers beat the Blazers.

There's currently six West teams that should finish with 50 wins this season, and they are jockeying for the top of the West.

New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Utah

There's several other teams capable of getting 50 wins, with Denver, Golden State and Dallas.

See current NBA standings at InsideHoops.com

Each remaining game will feature West Coast teams battling it out, and will most likely take on a playoff atmosphere as the regular season finishes. The other funny thing to take note of, there's been several East teams to clinch playoff spots already, but nothing's confirmed yet out in the Wild West.

Be Cool Kobe!

Wednesday night saw Kobe Bryant ejected from a crucial game, against the Charlotte Bobcats. It's crucial because in the West a loss puts a team like the Lakers from first down to a 3 way tie for second. LA now trails New Orleans by 1 game for first. Another loss or two could send the Lakers to the middle of the pack, about fourth or even worse. That's how tough the West has become this season.

According to the San Fransisco Chronicle, Kobe earned his two techs within just 29 seconds. The T's came due to Kobe not liking a foul call and jawing with the officials. Sometimes star players aren't afforded too much talking time.

More about Lakers v. Bobcats here

You can now see how simple events could really hurt some West Coast teams. Dirk's recent injury is far from simple and it's unfortunate, but that injury according to Sportscenter could see Dallas not a part of the playoffs. Kobe is in dangerous territory because he's close to the max number for techs, before he starts having to sit out games. So Kobe basically needs to keep his emotions in check, and the rest will follow. If he doesn't, the Lakers could lose homecourt advantage in the playoffs, or even their playoff spot. I expect the Lakers will be in the playoffs, but again the slightest player lost from the roster, or a loss of Kobe could hurt them.

I still give Kobe props because his sick move against the Warriors several nights ago was one of the best I've seen in terms of 2007-08 NBA season highlights. Spinning through traffic and floating towards the basket only to give a no look wrap-around, backwards style pass to teammate Ronnie Turiaf for the basket? That's definitely where Amazing happened.

No Easy $ on NBA Contenders

It's definitely still looking wide open in the NBA title chase. As of this point it's going to come down to which team gets an unfortunate injury, or which star player steps it up come the playoffs. Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitski, even Shaq could all help elevate their teams to the promised land. The West still claims to be the best.

One guy who definitely has elevated his play out West is Jason Kidd. When you see his recent assist totals at numbers like 17, it's apparent he's happy where he is, distributing the ball in a much higher scoring, potent offense with the Mavs. It would be pretty impressive to see Kidd break Scott Skile's all time assists in a game record this season.

The Pau Gasol-Kobe Bryant tandem also seems to be working very well in LA. Either Kobe's become a lot less selfish, or Pau Gasol doesn't complain a lot. Either way, it's been working nicely for the Lakers who are up top in the Western Conference. When you add Andrew Bynum back into the equation, the Lakers are that much better.

I hate to jinx Houston but they really seem to be in a "seen it before" almost Groundhog day like performance. We see flashes of how great T-Mac, Yao and the Rockets can be each season, then they falter, and get knocked out of the playoffs early. This season many analysts continue to place them in the candidates for NBA Finals team or champs.

Phoenix may still be a question mark. While many praise the Shaq move, they seem to forget the Suns lost a stat sheet filler with Shawn Marion. Having that "does it all" type player is always an advantage to any team. Lately the Suns couldn't seem to keep up with the East Coast favorite, Detroit Pistons, but the Suns were able to take out Boston. A question mark indeed.

Let's not forget the East because as much flack as they get, they will be sending a competitor to the Finals, and that team will not be a pushover. Lebron's new look Cavs are impressive now that Ben Wallace, Wally Sczerbiak and Delonte West have joined the crew. The knock had been Lebron was all they had going, and that he desperately needed a supporting cast. Now he has it, and that puts Cleveland along with Boston, Detroit and even Orlando as NBA Finals potentials.

At this point, there's no easy money made by betting on any single NBA team...so keep your wallets tight and stay tuned.

Western Conference Predictions

Ranking the teams in the order I think they will finish the season out:

1) Phoenix Suns - Expected NBA champions will run to the title.
2) Dallas Mavs - Another disappointing season with no title?
3) San Antonio Spurs - Defending champs will fall short as they get outrun.
4) Denver Nuggets - Melo and AI's first full season together should be a treat.
5) Houston Rockets - Success of this team will rise and fall with Yao Ming. New coach Rick Adelman may help.
6) Utah Jazz - Tough to place them 6th, especially after the Jazz' great playoff run last year.
7) Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe's still the man, but that's all the Lakers have when it comes to playoffs.
8) New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul and company finally break into the playoffs, but will get bounced out 1st round.
9) Golden State Warriors - Losing J-Rich makes them miss the playoffs, just barely.
10) Sacramento Kings - They might barely be in the mix for the final playoff spot in the West, but don't have enough to hold their own with the top dogs.
11) Seattle Supersonics - Durant is going to have a special year but it won't be enough to make the playoffs in rebuilding year 1.
12) Memphis Grizzlies - Still a young talented team looking to build its core. Gasol's return will help but not enough.
13) Portland Trailblazers - Team will miss Greg Oden who hasn't played a single regular NBA game yet. Roy and co. will show promise for the future title runs.
14) Los Angeles Clippers - Without Elton Brand this team's gonna be at the bottom.
15) Minnesota Timberwolves - They were bad with KG last year and will be the worst without him this season as they struggle to find identity.

The 4 through 6 spots are tough to call with the Jazz, Rockets, Lakers and Nuggets probably all jockeying for those spots. Overall the West looks tough again this year and the Spurs will have to really bring it to defend their title.