20 bold predictions for the NBA's second half

20 bold predictions for the NBA’s second half

Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Magic Johnson (left) speaks during a tribute to Western Conference forward Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (right) prior to the start of the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) is defended by Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during an NBA basketball game at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Rockers 140-132 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Clippers will lose in the first round … to the Houston Rockets

I admit that this may be wishful thinking rather than a solid prediction. But who would want to miss the maelstrom of hatred that is a Clippers-Rockets series, especially this season?

Hate-watching the Rockets at this point is like Sunday brunch. It nourishes the soul and is best done with the consumption of alcohol. This year is ripe for some enjoyable Houston hatred, thanks to the premature firing of Kevin McHale, James Harden’s ugly game finally starting to hurt him and another Dwight Howard trade rumor saga rumbling like a storm cloud over the team.

As for the Clippers, the annual tradition of watching Chris Paul scream at DeAndre Jordan takes on added significance once you remember that it took nearly $20 million to make it happen. Think back to the summer of 2015 when the Clippers played cards with Jordan, then juxtapose it with Paul throwing his hands up in disgust every time Jordan clanks a free throw off of the front of the rim.

Both of these teams find themselves in a difficult spot, and neither appears to be much of a danger to unseat either the Spurs or the Warriors (or even the Thunder) in the Western Conference. The Clippers look locked in as the fourth seed, and they don’t have the depth to realistically compete with any of the top teams. Meanwhile, the Rockets have collapsed on defense, while James Harden’s efficiency has nosedived with teams solving his un-creative isolation plays.

The Clippers should hold steady for the rest of this year, but the Rockets may have a bit of a surge in store. Even with the inconsistency of their roster, no other team between the Rockets and the Clippers has Houston’s talent, depth and playoff pedigree. They are only two games out of the sixth seed, and with the fifth-placed Grizzlies about to lose Marc Gasol possibly for the rest of the season, this should open up the door for a relatively easy fifth seeded placement in the West.

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