It is no surprise that given how close the top teams in the Western Conference were all season long that all four series have yet to be decided. Two of the lower seeds are poised to pull off an upset and the two higher seeds still have work left to do to secure a spot in the next round. Here is a review of each series along with each team’s updated odds to win the Conference.
#1 Los Angeles Lakers (10-13) vs. #8 Oklahoma City Thunder (30-1)
The Lakers grinded their way to a 2-0 lead in this series at home. They won game one by eight 87-79 but had to work hard to take game two 95-92 with Kobe Bryant scoring 15 of his game high 39 points in the fourth. Things did not get any easier on the road as the dropped two straight to the Thunder in Oklahoma City. In game three the Thunder completely controlled the second half to come away with a 101-96 win. In game four they dominated the first half to build a 13 point lead on their way to a 110-89 win to even the series at two games apiece. Back home in LA, the Lakers returned the favor in game five with a convincing 111-87 win. They have a chance to close the series out Friday night in Oklahoma City, but the way that this one is going do not be surprised if the Thunder force a game seven on Sunday.
#2 Dallas Mavericks (9-1) vs. #7 San Antonio Spurs (7-1)
The battle for bragging rights in the State continues on with the Spurs holding a 3-2 edge heading into game six tonight in San Antonio. After Dallas won game one 100-94, the Spurs were able to capture home field advantage with a huge 102-88 upset in game two. Heading back to San Antonio for games four and five played right into the hands of the Spurs as they beat the Mavericks twice; 94-90 in game three and 92-89 in game four to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The Mavericks were able to stay alive with a solid 103-81 back home in Dallas, but now they have to go back on the road tonight and win to force a game seven on their home court this Saturday. Much of this series has been a one man show; Dirk Nowitzki for Dallas against a total team effort for San Antonio, with the Spurs coming out on top.
#3 Phoenix Suns (5-1) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (45-1)
This series has turned out to be a much tougher battle than Phoenix ever expected as Portland set the tone early with a stunning 105-100 win on the road in game one. The Suns bounced back with a dominating 119-90 win in game two and then recaptured home court advantage with a 108-89 win in game three. The Trail Blazers responded with a 96-87 win in game four to even the series at two games apiece. In a crucial game five in Phoenix, the Suns fell behind 18-4 before turning to their bench to bail them out. Channing Frye led the way with a career playoff-high 20 points as they went on to win 107-88. The series returns to Portland for game six tonight as the Trail Blazers will try and force a game seven back in Phoenix on Saturday.
#4 Denver Nuggets (18-1) vs. Utah Jazz (9-1)
Given the injuries that Utah has sustained before and during this series, most people expected Denver to have an easy time of it in this first round match-up. Nothing could have been further from the truth. After getting off to a solid start with a 126-113 win in game one, the Nuggets ran into a buzz saw, losing the next three. After a tough three point 114-111 loss in game two they were blown out 105-93 in game three and 117-106 in game four to find themselves on the brink of elimination. Denver managed a 116-102 win in game five, but will now have to head back to Utah for game six on Friday night and win one in a place that the Jazz do not lose that often.
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