2022 NBA Western Conference Playoff Matchups
Over in the East, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and take on the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers and will face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. Keep reading for more info on Western Conference round one playoff matchups.
2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference First Round Matchups
The Western Conference play-in games are set!
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) April 10, 2022
Spurs at Pelicans in the 9-10 game
Clippers at Timberwolves in the 7-8 game
The NBA Playoffs are upon us?? pic.twitter.com/i0fLBbj0Yo
READ MORE: 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
Which two teams will win the Western Conference Play-in Tournament and enter the postseason?
Minnesota has made the postseason. The Timberwolves beat Paul George and the Clippers 109- 105 in their first play-in tournament game. The T’Wolves take on the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. The other team that should emerge from the West play-in tourney are the Clippers.
Even though LAC lost to Minnesota, the Clipps have PG-13 and neither the Pelicans nor the Spurs can match up with George. So although the Clippers lost their first game, they can still grab a playoff spot with a win over the Spurs versus Pelicans contest.
What team has the edge in Mavericks versus Jazz?
Utah had the best record in the NBA last season. The Jazz had secured home court advantage and look like a top play to make the NBA Finals. This season, Utah is the 5-seed. The Jazz is a good team, but they aren’t playing as well as the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Mavs may have to win this series without their best player, Luka Doncic. Luka is suffering through a calf injury. He’s listed as day-to-day. If Doncic plays, the Mavs can sweep Utah. If not, the Jazz shouldn’t lose the series. Doncic should put on the sneakers. Because he’s listed as day-to-day and this is the playoffs, Luka figures to do whatever it takes to get onto the court. The Mavericks have the edge because it’s doubtful Luka sits out the series.
Which team is more vulnerable to a first round exit, the Phoenix Suns or Memphis Grizzlies?
The Suns are as consistent as it gets. Phoenix may lose 4 games total during the Western Conference Playoffs. They have the look of one of those 1990s Bulls teams with a top player in Devin Booker, an excellent point guard in Chris Paul, and a solid big man in DeAndre Ayton. The Suns’ bench is also very deep.
Memphis relies on Ja Morant. For the most part, Morant can dominate. But the Grizzlies must face the strong Minnesota Timberwolves. At first glance, Memphis should have no issue. But Patrick Beverly, one of the best defenders in the NBA, plays for the T’Wolves. Beverly could contain Morant.
If that happens, Minnesota can win the series. Karl-Anthony Towns won the 3-point contest. Towns can shoot threes or dominate in the paint. Memphis won’t stop Towns and Beverly may contain Morant. Memphis moving on to the second round is questionable./p>
What will determine the winner between the Warriors and Nuggets?
Entering the season, Golden State was a favorite to win the NBA Championship. But the Warriors haven’t played consistently enough to even make the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State could be staring at an early playoff exit. Steph Curry is listed as out for Game 1 versus the Denver Nuggets. Without Curry, the Warriors won’t have much shot of getting past Denver.
The Nuggets have a couple of big injuries as well, Jamal Murray won’t return and neither will Michael Porter Jr., but Nikola Jokic is healthy and ready to go. He’ll dominate Golden State in every phase of the game. So unless Curry makes a miraculous recovery from his injury, Jokic and the Nuggets have the series edge.
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