After an emphatic win against the Utah Jazz in a thrilling 6-game series, the Los Angeles Clippers punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in team history to face off against the Phoenix Suns. Both teams are both eager to get the series going to see who will continue their journey to the NBA Finals.
_____________________________________________
Match-Up Preview:
The situation revolving around this year’s Western Conference Finals is an interesting one nonetheless. With Kawhi Leonard out for Games 1 & 2 due to knee injury and Chris Paul to miss Game 1 due to COVID-19 protocols. This leaves the first couple of games up for grabs for whichever team can gain an edge on the other early into the series.
The #2 Phoenix Suns have bulldozed their way though the first two rounds of the Playoffs, having had quite the break after sweeping the #3 Denver Nuggets. It seems as if the Suns just figured things out, with pieces of their roster stepping up with names like Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, and Deandre Ayton. Alongside Devin Booker who has been a problem for teams and Chris Paul finding a second wind going into the Playoffs, it seems as if the Suns are the team to beat coming out of the West this season. However, with a losing regular season record to their opponents 2-1, the Los Angeles Clippers hope that they can keep that same pace going into their series.
The #4 Los Angeles Clippers are seemingly quite opposite of the Phoenix Suns these Playoffs this season, having had to play more games within their series’ in comparison to other standing teams at this time. Like the Suns, however, the Clippers have had some solid breakout performances by their role players like Terance Mann, Marcus Morris Sr., and Reggie Jackson. Once Kawhi can come back into the mix with Paul George after being cleared for his knee, this team will surely make things difficult for Chris Paul and crew.
It is difficult to say with any certainty which team has the edge going into the series, but what can be expected is some high level performances from both sides, and it will ultimately come down to which team can string together such performances to win the series.
Prediction: Phoenix in 7
The Phoenix Suns will take on the Los Angeles Clippers at the Talking Stick Resort Arena for Game 1 of this year’s NBA Western Conference Finals tomorrow, June 20th at 12:30pm PST on ABC.
Recent Comments