2012 NBA Playoffs - Western Conference Semi-Finals

It took seven games and nearly blowing 3-1 series leads but the teams from LA survived and are now ready to start the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Lakers fought off a resilient Nuggets team, while the Clippers went to Memphis and earned their first game seven win in franchise history. Now facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers will be underdogs in the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 Finals against the Boston Celtics. No one is going to the give the Clippers much of a chance against the Spurs, partially because of how dominant the Spurs have been this year, and also because, it's the Clippers.

#1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #5 Los Angeles Clippers

I'm not sure anyone outside of San Antonio or Utah saw the Spurs make quick work of the Jazz in the First Round. The Spurs barely had to break a sweat and will be well rested for a weary Clippers team. It also helps that Spurs have tremendous depth and can go eleven deep. The two most fun matchups to watch in this series will be the point guard battle between Tony Parker and Chris Paul, and the young stud Blake Griffin versus the old, wily veteran Tim Duncan.

The Clippers have the pieces to match the Spurs in those areas and can cancel out and maybe even have the advantage over the Spurs in those departments. However, for the Clippers to win their bench will have to play like they did in the final quarter of Game 7 against Memphis for them to have a chance. Expecting that kind of consistent offensive production out of their bench for the majority of the series probably will be too much to ask for.

A huge advantage for the Spurs will be at shooting guard where Manu Ginobli and former Tar Heel Danny Green will face Randy Foye. The Clippers definitely have missed Chauncey Billups presence since he was lost for the year due to injury and it will be even more apparent in this series. Inside DeAndre Jordan figures to do well against Boris Diaw, but Duncan can also slide over and guard Jordan if need be.

To the Clippers credit they have pretty much lived up to the expectations placed on them once David Stern handed them Chris Paul. I have been weary of the Spurs most of the season because I haven't forgotten how they dominated the regular season last year and then were pushed over by the Grizzlies. But with the ease the Spurs eliminated the Jazz, I believe this team has found the right mix of new fresh legs, to go with their longtime big three to be one of the best teams in the NBA. Also, coaching in this series will probably play a huge part as Greg Popovich will coach circles around Vinny Del Negro. I think the Clippers can at least take one at home to avoid being swept, but they aren't in the Spurs league.

Prediction: Spurs over Clippers, 4-1


#2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #3 Los Angeles Lakers

As I mentioned above this is unfamiliar territory for the Lakers. Even when Dallas swept them last season that was quite a shock to many as the Lakers were pretty heavily favored. In this series against the Thunder I can't find anyone picking them to take this series. OKC swept the defending champion Mavericks but they were really only dominant in one of those games. The most talked about early subplot of this series will be James Harden versus Metta World Peace. World Peace returned from his suspension for elbowing Harden in Game 7 against Denver and played very well and was one of the major reasons the Lakers were able to win the game. Hopefully, World Peace doesn't do anything stupid and just plays his game because he definitely helps the Lakers cause. His main focus will have to be on guarding Kevin Durant and trying to stop one of the best players in the game from taking over the series.

With the addition of Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline the Lakers at least have a point guard that will stand a chance against Russell Westbrook. Their old point guard, Derek Fisher is now a backup for the Thunder and will try to gain some revenge on the Lakers for holding on to him for about two years too long. It will be Thabo Sefalosha and Harden's jobs to guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant will have to remain confident in his teammates, no matter their struggles as the Thunder are too good of a team for Bryant to try to do it all himself.

That is where Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum come into play. When those two play at their peak the Lakers are unstoppable. However, they almost seem to be like women who are around each other and eventually find their periods syncing up. I know that isn't a pleasant analogy but Gasol and Bynum tend to play well at the same time, like when they were monsters on the glass in Game 7 against Denver, and poor at the same time, like they did in the Game 6 blowout loss to Denver. They can't afford to take any games off. While the Lakers size could dominate the Nuggets, they won't be able to do that against Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. The Thunder won't have to throw double teams like the Nuggets did as they have guys who can guard them face to face.

This series will take center stage in the Conference Semi-Finals and with good reason. You have tons of superstars, a budding rivalry with the drama between World Peace and Harden, and the young, upstart team trying to take out the old guard of champions. For LA to have any chance they have to steal at least one of the first two games in Oklahoma City. So tonight and Wednesday's games will be crucial. I think the Lakers time has passed though and the Thunder have grown up a lot since the bunch that lost to LA in the playoffs two years ago. It will be a very fun series but I think the Thunder will defeat the Lakers and even do it on LA's home court.

Prediction: Thunder over Lakers, 4-2