Dallas will Rule the West in the NBA Playoffs

Prepare for a war the likes of which the NBA has never seen, the Western Conference playoffs will be nothing short of brutal.

Durant deserves the hype but he’s not beating Kobe
The opening round match-up that has critics and blogs salivating over most is the battle between the Lakers and the Thunder. The Lakers are Basketball royalty and the defending NBA Champions while Oklahoma City is an upstart little franchise that has progressed faster than anyone expected. For Thunder fans I have this message, enjoy the ride. It might last six games, maybe even seven if LA slips up, but the Lakers will make the second round.

Going against San Antonio in NBA betting can be a risky business in the playoffs but not this year. Dallas has the extra strength in depth required to win in five or six games. Brandon Roy’s torn meniscus will prove decisive in the otherwise even match-up between Phoenix and Portland. The Blazers bad luck with injuries will see the Suns progress in six games. Utah and Denver took similar routes to the same destination for the final first round match-up. This season saw the prima donnas put their egos aside for both teams and the result saw the Jazz and Nuggets develop teams capable of a deep run in the post-season. This one will go the full seven games but the Nuggets will emerge on top.

Strap yourself in the for semi-finals
While Dallas and Phoenix was the hot rivalry four years ago, few would have bet on the a Nowitzki-Nash tussle being this important in 2010. I am leaning towards Dallas in this one but it will go the distance. The Suns possess an enviable home record and the Mavericks could well draw a blank on the road. This one will go the distance but Dallas has enough in the tank to pull through.

Things go from tough to gruelling for the LA Lakers in the conference semi-finals. Having put the upstart Thunder to the sword, Denver will present a different kind of challenge. The Nuggets will win one in the Staples Center but the Lakers will find a way to pick up a road win as well and take the series in seven games.

No return trip for Kobe
Brutal as the Western Conference may be I still have the top two seeds making the Conference Finals but this is where I stop going chalk. The Lakers have been forced to lean on Kobe more than usual in 2010 and talented as he may be, he needs help to bring LA to the NBA Finals for a third straight season. Dallas has made some smart trades over the course of the season and possess the deepest roster in the conference. That will prove decisive and the Mavericks will progress to the Finals in six games.

For the best NBA lines as the playoffs get under way check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.