(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Clippers
The Oklahoma City Thunder survived a huge scare (again) in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies. The same can be said about their second round opponent Los Angeles Clippers with a 7 game series of their own in a tough fought battle against the Golden State Warriors. With the elephant in the room for the Clippers organization finally detained for the time being, Los Angeles can finally focus on their championship aspirations once again.
2014 MVP Kevin Durant avoided missing an early elimination once again in consecutive seasons, but will be looking to take over this series. The big stories for the sexiest match-up the second round has to offer is: Russell Westbrook vs. Chris Paul, who can stop Kevin Durant and whether Reggie Jackson will be able to provide consistent bench play. It’s no secret that the Clippers have arguably the best roster in the league and will be looking to their bench for help when the obvious foul trouble fixing tactics begin. Although Oklahoma City doesn’t possess that same luxury, they have one star in the making with Reggie Jackson.
When Westbrook missed some of the season this year, Reggie was called upon to provide huge relief to Durant in the scoring production. While his role has diminished in comparison to before, we’re assuming Scotty Brooks will go small at times, putting Durant at the four when Jackson is running part guard. The Clippers do have the league’s best point guard in Chris Paul, but guarding arguably the most athletic guard in the history of the NBA will be a tough task for anybody. The thing that separates the two is CP3’s late game decisions and higher basketball IQ. If Russell makes smarter decisions down the stretch, OKC will obviously have better chances to win each game; but we doubt that’s going to happen.
Blake Griffin will return home in Oklahoma City, which should be a comfortable environment and something the Thunder do not want to see. There’s obviously no one on the entire Clippers team that can match-up and give Durant problems on the offensive end, but we’re picking the Los Angeles Clippers to advance to the Western Conference finals for an imminent destination in San Antonio.
Game 1: LAC at OKC | Mon., May 5, 9:30 PM ET | TNT
Game 2: LAC at OKC | Wed., May 7, 9:30 PM ET | TNT
Game 3: OKC at LAC | Fri., May 9, 10:30 PM ET | ESPN
Game 4: OKC at LAC | Sun., May 11, 3:30 PM ET | ABC
Game 5: LAC at OKC | Tue., May 13 | TNT | If Needed
Game 6: OKC at LAC | Thu., May 15 | ESPN | If Needed
Game 7: LAC at OKC | Sun., May 18 | TNT | If Needed