Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs. Denver Nuggets (5)
Thunder Starters: The Thunder starting five is a potent blend of brushfire offense (Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook), quick and tenacious defense (Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha) plus monster rebounding (Kendrick Perkins). That lineup is very scary.
Nuggets Starters: At first glance, the Nuggets starting lineup seem lightweight, compared to the high profile Thunder. With Ty Lawson and Aaron Afflalo, Denver has a very young and inexperienced backcourt. Danilo Gallinari is unproven in the playoffs while Nene and Kenyon Martin thrive only if there is someone to set them up. However, you have to remember that this is also a team who has won 14 of their last 20 games and have experienced a resurgence of team basketball, going 18-7, after their trade with New York.
Advantage: Thunder.
Thunder Bench: The Thunder can call on James Harden, Eric Maynor, Daequan Cook, Nate Robinson, Nick Collison, Nazr Mohammed and Cole Aldrich from the bench. Of them all, those who might have an impact on things might be pint sized guard Maynor and Robinson as well as heady Collison.
Nuggets Bench: The Nuggets have Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, JR Smith, Al Harrington, Chris Andersen and Timofey Mosgov. Former Knicks Felton, Chandler and Mosgov can play crucial roles as well as gunner Smith.
Advantage: Nuggets.
Thunder Coach: Scott Brooks is an intelligent coach who maximizes his team's potential. And he learned from one of the best in the business, George Karl.
Nuggets Coach: George Karl finally has a team that bought into his concept of team basketball. Unfortunately, it is this concept that he taught to former assistant Scott Brooks. The question now is...did he teach Brooks everything he knew?
Advantage: Nuggets.
X-Factor: Westbrook vs Lawson/Felton, Durant vs Gallinari. The Nuggets' lack of a lockdown defender is their most glaring weakness.
Advantage: Thunder.
My prediction: Thunder in 6. Nuggets need a bit more seasoning before they can match up to the Thunder.
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