Playoff matches
The regular season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) still has two play dates left in its schedule, and save for some positions, the playoff picture on both the Eastern and Western conferences is pretty much set. One of the 2017 playoff matches I am looking forward to seeing is the battle between the Houston Rockets (# 3) and Oklahoma City Thunder (#7) out in the West.
While I still submit to basketball being a team sport, the lure in this pairing for me, I must admit, stems primarily from the showdown between strong league most valuable candidates James Harden and Russell Westbrook, or for some Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Not for anything else, the Rockets-Thunder I believe will be an extension of the spectacular season that Harden (29.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 11.3 apg and 1.5 spg) and Westbrook (31.9 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 10.4 apg and 1.7 spg) are having; and that both players would use their series as canvas to further underscore why they should win the top individual award in The Association.
Boasting of a deeper roster, the Rockets undeniably have the advantage over the Thunder. But as displayed through its floor leader Westbrook, OKC is not short in fight and most surely will leave everything on the floor and take it to Houston every step of the way.
Another series I am keen to see is the Los Angeles Clippers (# 4) against the Utah Jazz (# 5) also in the Western Conference.
You have two teams here out to prove something in the league.
The Clippers, long considered a contender but yet to really break through big time, are racing against time and could well see some major changes in the offseason if they continue to underachieve.
Utah, meanwhile, has been on a steady rise in the last of couple of years and seemingly bent on making 2017 the year it finally rejoins the elite in the NBA.
The two teams have identical 49- 31, as of this writing, ominous perhaps of how this series should go.
Still another is the Washington Wizards (# 4) and Atlanta Hawks (# 5) if this pairing holds in the Eastern Conference. ( Note: The Milwaukee Bucks [ 41- 39] may still supplant the Hawks [ 42- 38] for fifth depending on the outcomes for both teams in the remainder of the regular season).
But in the event that it is Washington versus Atlanta, I expect the Wizards having a battle in their hands and needing to really step up lest they find themselves victims of an upset.
John Wall And Company has been solid for much of the ongoing season but they are to face an Atlanta team that is very dangerous with the All- Star front line of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.
I see the stars coming to play in this series, leaving much focus on how the auxiliaries will react and deliver, which should well be the difference whether one would advance or not.
The NBA regular season is now on its windup and the bigger battles are about to begin. What are you looking forward to in the playoffs and who are your picks? This Is Why We Play.