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10 Matchups We Want To See In The 2017 NBA Playoffs

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 1, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
December 20, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20, right) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Western Conference Semifinals: No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 4 Utah Jazz

On to the second round! Much like that unlikely Warriors-Thunder playoff showdown, there’s a possibility the Dubs face another Western rival in the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semis.

But would it really be enjoyable to see the Clips look depressingly outmatched in the playoffs again, especially since the Warriors have won their last 10 meetings against Lob City with an average point differential of +12.9?

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Rather than serve up the poor Clippers to be sliced and diced by their Pacific Division rival, we’d rather see Utah embrace another test as one of the few defenses in the league that might actually be able to slow down Golden State’s nuclear-powered offense.

Utah’s third-ranked D might stand a chance against the Dubs’ league-leading offense, especially if Rudy Gobert has a breakout series and solidifies his case for Defensive Player of the Year.

The Jazz probably wouldn’t win this series, but in three of their six meetings over the last two seasons, Utah made the Warriors work as much as any team. Sure, all six of those meetings were Golden State wins, but that’s more competitive than the Clippers have been!

In a playoff series, the pace slows down and defense matters more. That might help make things more competitive, even though it’s highly unlikely we see anyone but Golden State advance to the conference finals.