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5-On-5 Roundtable: First Round Western Conference Predictions

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) fouls Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) in the first quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) fouls Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) in the first quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies:
Regular season head-to-head record: OKC 3-1

Western Conference predictions
Feb 28, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) attempts a dunk against Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Dunlap: The best defense that the Grizzlies can play still can’t stop the best offense from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins will lose their respective matchups with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but it won’t be enough to keep the scoring champion and arguably the most explosive player in the game from winning the series. Memphis exerted so much energy just getting to this point, I think they hit a wall here. Prediction: Thunder in 5

Watson: The Grizzlies beat the Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals last season, but that was without Russell Westbrook in the mix. The Thunder took three of four from the Grizzlies this season and were able to severely limit the effectiveness of Zach Randolph (16.5 points per game on 37.1 percent shooting) and Mike Conley (15 points on 36.6 percent). Kevin Durant averaged 30.8 points, six rebounds and five assists on 51.8 percent shooting (although it’s fair to point out that Tony Allen only played in one of the four meetings). Most significantly, Oklahoma City was able to keep Memphis off the glass, a staple of the Grizzlies’ game. OKC had a plus-6.5 rebounding differential in the four games and if Memphis can’t get those grinder points off second chances, they have that much more trouble producing offensively. Prediction: Thunder in 5

Bourguet: The Grizzlies have a terrific 33-13 record since Marc Gasol came back and the frontcourt duo of Gasol and Z-Bo could give OKC some problems in the paint. But the Thunder have Kevin Mother Freaking Durant, the Slim Reaper himself. Winning an MVP award will be nice for KD, but don’t forget Durant will be looking for revenge against this Grizzlies team that knocked the Russell Westbrook-less Thunder out of the postseason last year. And speaking of Mr. Controversial: In addition to there being no back-to-backs in the playoffs, Scott Brooks says no more limit restrictions for Westbrook in the postseason either. In the words of Garth Brooks, the Thunder rolls. Prediction: Thunder in 6

Young: Thank the Lord for giving us this matchup again, for two reasons:  1) I couldn’t have gone through another Clippers/Grizzlies set, because it’s unfair how much Memphis has their number. Two, it’s time for Russell Westbrook to prove why Memphis luckily scraped through OKC in last year’s second round. If he wasn’t injured, the Thunder would’ve danced their way to the Finals. I love what Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph bring to the table against Serge Ibaka, despite Z-Bo shooting 37.1 percent in the four season meetings. He can pound the ball in the paint and bludgeon anyone, especially the smaller frame of Ibaka. Where Memphis will fall apart is their inability to place anyone on the 6’10” MVP that can shoot over the arms of Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen. It’s impossible for Memphis to properly contain him (this year). As for Mike Conley, his defense only gets better. But there’s something to be said about trying to guard one of the most explosive point guards in history, who he’ll draw even more time guarding.  Hey Nick Calathes, you don’t help your team’s chances in terms of bench production by getting suspended 20 games.  Good thing your team won’t make it 20 games. Prediction: Thunder in 5

Giese: Playoff matchups with the Thunder and Grizzlies are always fun, physical and electric. Last year’s meeting in the conference semifinals was missing Russell Westbrook but that (barring another fluke injury) won’t be the case this time around. Oklahoma City continues to impress with how well they build their team from within. Memphis is hot right now, winning five games in a row to get the 7-seed in the West, while the Thunder come in winning four of their last six. One key matchup to watch will be Serge Ibaka against Zach Randolph. Ibaka’s the more athletic of the two but Randolph has the physicality to dominate down low. However, Ibaka’s shot blocking ability can make anybody shake in their kicks. Durant will get his and Westbrook should handle Mike Conley, but it’s not going to be an easy series to win. Prediction: Thunder in 6