2016 NBA Western Conference Playoffs predictions

[1] Golden State Warriors vs [8] Houston Rockets

Stephen Curry and James Harden, the league’s top 2 scorers

After an entertaining Conference Finals series last year, these two teams progressed in opposite directions and now meet this season in the first round of the West Playoffs.

While Golden State took over the league with their record breaking 73-9 season, the Rockets disappointed with their over-reliance on James Harden and a defence that cannot be trusted against any team, let alone against the team leading the league in offensive efficiency.

As competitive as the Playoff series was last year, this season is going to be a lot different. The Warriors have become a much better and superior version of themselves while the Rockets play at a level far worse than they did last season.

Despite the undeniable monstrous disparity between the teams, this series might be a sneaky good one to watch if the likes of Stephen Curry and Harden start trading baskets over a certain duration in the game.

To sum it up, there’s nothing competitive to watch here. The disinterested and disconnected defence of the Rockets cannot be trusted against the superior offensive capability of Golden State.

On the offensive end, their over-reliance on Harden could hurt their chances once the Warriors’ start aggressively closing down the passing lanes and allowing Harden to go one on one against their team’s multiple good individual defenders.

Prediction: Golden State sweep the series 4-0