2013 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Semi-Finals

Coming off of two 6 game series, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies are going to collide for the second time in 3 years.  The Thunder are suffering a bit from the loss of Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the playoffs and the Grizzlies are at full strength.  A healthy Thunder team would have problems with Memphis but this hurt Thunder team will fall short. Kevin Durant is a great singular talent the Grizzlies are the more complete team at this time.  The Grizzlies will prove too big in the post and their defense rose to another level against the Clippers.  Despite the fact that the Thunder will have the home-court advantage the Memphis Grizzlies will move on to their first ever Western Conference Finals.

As they've said in the NBA for years, you can't teach big.  The San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors will prove to be an exciting series via their conflicting playing styles.  Stephen Curry has been the darling of the NBA playoffs thus far as he's continued to ascend along with the media coverage that he's gotten.  Guard play will be at a premium here as Tony Parker will battle against Curry but the Spurs will have the advantage with inside play.  Even at this advanced age, Tim Duncan can still be a threat in the low post and at this time the Warriors have no one that can counter.  David Lee has returned to the lineup for the Warriors but he's no where near 100%.  Mark Jackson is an excellent that's on the rise but he's no where near the class of Gregg Popovich.  The Warriors will put up a good fight and there's no doubt that they have the best home court in the league but the San Antonio will move on in 6 games and return to the Western Conference Finals.