SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts break down the key story lines heading into the Western Conference playoffs. USA TODAY Sports
Two championships. Three straight NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors' incredible dominance has been the overlying story line of the NBA for the past three seasons. But due to injuries, they enter the postseason hobbled and scuffling.
Enter Houston, the Warriors' most serious challenger in years. Led by MVP frontrunner James Harden and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, their offensive style has terrorized defenses this season. Who knows what awaits if they meet in the Western Conference Finals?
In the East, LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers may face his most difficult path to the Finals yet. He's on a mission for his eighth consecutive Finals appearance, but he'll do it with a team that was overhauled just two months ago. Could it be the year that Toronto turns regular season dominance into its first Finals appearance ever?
Here are the predictions from USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts.
Sam Amick - First round:
- West: Rockets in 5, Warriors in 5, Trail Blazers in 6, Thunder in 6
- East: Raptors in 4, Celtics in 7, Sixers in 5, Cavs in 7
Second round:
- West: Rockets over Thunder in 5, Warriors over Trail Blazers in 6
- East: Raptors over Cavs in 7, Sixers over Celtics in 6
Conference finals:
- West: Rockets over Warriors in 7
- East: Raptors over Sixers in 7
Champion:
- Rockets over Raptors in six.
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Jeff Zillgitt - First round:
- West: Rockets in 5, Warriors in 5, Trail Blazers in 7, Jazz in 6
- East: Raptors in 5, Celtics in 6, Sixers in 7, Cavs in 5
Second round:
- West: Rockets over Jazz in 6, Warriors over Trail Blazers in 6
- East: Raptors over Cavs in 6, Sixers over Celtics in 6
Conference Finals:
- West: Rockets over Warriors in 6
- East: Raptors over Sixers in 6
Champion:
- Rockets over Raptors in 6
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Michael Singer - First round:
- West: Rockets in 5, Warriors in 5, Trail Blazers in 6, Thunder in 7
- East: Raptors in 5, Celtics in 6, Sixers in 5, Cavs in 5
Second round:
- West: Rockets over Thunder in 6, Warriors over Trail Blazers in 6
- East: Cavs over Raptors in 7, Sixers over Celtics in 6
Conference Finals:
- West: Rockets over Warriors in 7
- East: Cavs over Sixers in 7
Champion:
- Rockets over Cavs in 6
AJ Neuharth-Keusch - First round:
- West: Rockets in 5, Warriors in 5, Trail Blazers in 7, Jazz in 6
- East: Raptors in 7, Bucks in 6, Sixers in 6, Cavs in 5
Second round:
- West: Rockets over Jazz in 5, Warriors over Trail Blazers in 5
- East: Cavs over Raptors in 6, Sixers over Bucks in 5
Conference finals
- West: Warriors over Rockets in 6
- East: Cavs over Sixers in 6
Champion:
- Warriors over Cavs in 5
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