In both 2019 and 2020, the top four seeds in the Western Conference advanced to the second round of the playoffs. However, things are looking a whole lot more wide open early in the first round of the 2021 postseason.
Over the weekend, three of the four lower-seeded teams in the Western Conference playoff matchups won Game 1. The one lower seed that didn’t come away with a win? The No. 7 Lakers, who were favored by oddsmakers over the No. 2 Suns coming into the series.
Despite their seventh seed, the defending-champion Lakers have been widely viewed as one of the favorites to come out of the West now that they’re healthy again, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis back in the lineup. But L.A.’s two leading scorers combined for just 31 points on 11-of-29 shooting in Game 1 against a tough Phoenix team that led almost all night despite a subpar performance from veteran leader Chris Paul.
Later on Sunday, the No. 8 Grizzlies pulled out an upset victory over the No. 1 Jazz, taking advantage of Donovan Mitchell‘s absence and Rudy Gobert‘s foul trouble (he played just 25 minutes before fouling out), as Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks racked up a combined 57 points and helped Memphis hold off a late push from Utah.
On Saturday, the fifth-seeded Mavericks and sixth-seeded Trail Blazers knocked off the Clippers and Nuggets, respectively. A pair of All-NBA guards played key roles in those victories — Luka Doncic scored a game-high 31 points and was a game-best plus-19 in Los Angeles, while Damian Lillard pulled off a similar feat in Denver (34 points, plus-25).
It’s not uncommon for an underdog to win the first game of a series and fail to take advantage of that momentum. In fact, each of the last two NBA champions (the Lakers in 2020 and the Raptors in 2019) lost the first game of their respective first-round series, then won the next four en route to a deep playoff run.
To that point, the oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag still consider the Jazz and Clippers favorites over the Grizzlies and Mavericks, and give the Lakers near-even odds to win their first-round series over the Suns. Confidence in the Nuggets is dwindling though — the Trail Blazers have been made solid favorites in that series.
We want to know what you think. Will multiple lower-seeded teams win their first-round matchups? Which four Western Conference teams do you expect to see in the second round?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts and predictions!
Jazz, suns, trailblazers, and mavs
Mavs and suns
Suns to finals
Dallas over Utah in round 2? They’ll be lucky just to get past the Clippers.
I like Memphis!
The Grizz are making us all proud here in Memphis! Not sure they can take the series, but they are playing well. They’re WAY ahead of the developmental curve, I honestly believe, Could be dangerous more sooner than later…
Obviously Jazz are different w Mitchell in, but swagger and chemistry can go a long way. To your point the talent is there too and they only look to be getting better. Go Grizzlies.
Plus, we get to celebrate wins with good barbecue!!!
My pick
Blazers win because Murray is OUT
Mavs win because of Playoff George
Lakers win because of Frank Vogel
Jazz win because they are better
Think this next game will be very telling for clippers-they could break up if they lose this series. AD and Lebron may not have enough practice time to pull this series out, still wouldn’t bet against them tho. Think Utah pulls it out and Blazers win that series pretty easily.
Also think this could be the Blazers year they win the west. No real juggernauts and this team has some veteran experience & seems to have that desperation/urgency they’ve lacked in the past.
“AD and Lebron may not have enough practice time to pull this series out”
Not disrespecting your take, but put two superstars in any other situation, and they are getting ripped to shreds right now. Lebron gets different, softer, rules from the media than anyone else.
Haha I think you’re kind of misunderstanding what I meant. I’m not a lebron fan at all. I just simply meant that he came back recently from an injury and so did AD and I think they may have taken for granted how quickly they could adjust to playoff basketball after long layoffs.
I hear ya Ryan, and agree with almost everything ya said –
Ive said in the West this is a ” Why not me ” year
Who better to rep than than Dame
Lebrons already found his trap door in his phantom shoulder injury should they not beat a quality team like suns. “My shoulder ligaments were torn of the bone, but I still tried to win. We just couldn’t get it done.”
LeBron has never made an excuse after losing a playoff series. The only one making this up is you, the Lakers fan who hates players on his own team. I bet you said the same nonsense after they lost the opening game to Portland and Houston last year.
Tats is only a Lakers fan when they win.
@curtis was I happy when they won last year? It’s rigged and predictable. Lakers will be in finals without me watching.
2018 came out with a cast after game 2, apparently had a broken hand that no one saw happen. Post game interview had his hand under desk, with a black wrist guard. Then says he injured if blocking a shot, alll his way of avoiding his gigantic misstep and eventual loss.
@sure never said he said this just forecasting what he will say when he loses. Sorry your not smart enough to read between the lines.
Quote marks are for quotes not for your fantasies. I suppose I could just assume everything you post is a lie, instead of looking up what you twist.
Made-up quote by lying Tatsu. Not even a paraphrase probably… Or even a BB fan.
“James didn’t speak about the issue when questioned following the game, but keep an eye out for the Lakers’ injury report on Monday.”— Yahoo sports
The only quote I found was LJ saying he wpuld be ready for gm 2.
Lebron has been acting like a chump all season, man up, act like the legend you supposedly are. Compare him to Kobe in big games, he looks like a bush league player.
What does “man up” even mean harden-westbrook mvps? Dude already won a ring in LA and sent your team to the abyss. In summer 2019 you said they’d be lucky to even make the 2nd round.
Different guy, same deal though.
Oh, no maybe LeBron isn’t the best player ever. He is AWFUL
That’s not what he said lol. There’s a difference between criticism and downright hate like calling him a chump and saying “man up”.
And why should anyone act like some pissant’s idea of a legend? If someone pulls you down on your shoulder, it is going to hurt at least. Doesn’t matter if it is the shoulder of a supposed legend.
Remember it is hater Marty calling him a legend.
If the clippers lose in the first round, I bet Leonard leaves. This is the year he has a player option, right?
Yes and yes but lets not put the cart in front of the horse just yet…. But yea if they dont make conference finals at min there will be plenty of time to Leonard talk
No one is scared of Jazz even with Mitchell.
Love the Wild Wild West right now
Clips over Dallas – Honestly the loss might have been best for them long term, I think an easy series would have left them in a bad mental state- They get this in 7
Por over Denver – How can anybody not be a fan of Dame – Nurk’s always been the key, he’s healthy this year finally
Lakers over Phx- Wish Paul didnt get inj, fail safe securely in place for Laker haters. Lotta good tape for Lakes here to digest, the offence couldn’t get worse
Utah over Memphis – In 6
Lakes over Por
Utah over Clips
Utah over Lakes in 6 to go to finals
Clips deeper, better, much better defense.
Blazers, as Nugs will not fix their G problem.
Suns and Jazz for relentlessness.
Suns over Blazers
Two best teams, Clips & Jazz. I think the Jazz advantaged themselves tactically by holding out Mitchell. Peviously I said LAC, before that DEN. Can I change again? Do I want to.
Winner wins WC.
BRK beats LAC, or, Utah beats BRK. Ouch.
dang it luke, i should of waited to post my summery from earlier here homie.
Clean it up & post again! Unless you say it’s up to the refs.
Denver looks like they could tie up things tonight, and the Clippers should be able to do the same. But anyone who expects the Lakers to even up their series tomorrow should prepare themselves for disappointment. Even though LeBron has never lost a series in the first round, there is a first time for everything.