NBA Playoffs: Mims makes his Western Conference picks – Nuggets vs Suns, Jazz vs Clippers – and player props

Here are my NBA Playoff Series Breakdowns for the Western Conference. I will pick the winner of each series and the projected games I think each series will go. I will also pick players to watch in each series

Nuggets over Suns in 6. Series Price is Nuggets +175 & Suns -220.

Players to watch: Nikola Jokic and Chris Paul. Jokic is unstoppable and is the league MVP. Paul is the glue that makes the right play in the clutch. Devin Booker is averaging 29 points a game in the playoffs. That is an improvement over the regular season by 4 points. Nuggets have continued to play well without Jamal Murray. They were in the Western Conference Finals last year and came back from two 3-1 deficits to get there. Suns beat the Lakers but that was without Anthony Davis. Coaching match up with Monty Williams and Michael Malone is even.

Player Props: Jokic over 30 points a game. He averaged 33 against the Lakers. He will dominate Deandre Ayton.

Jazz over Clippers in 6. Series price is Jazz -130 & Clippers +105.

Players to watch: Donovan Mitchell and Paul George.

Mitchell is the key to the Jazz success. He will get numbers against the Clipper like those of Luka Doncic. George must continue driving and taking his shot from 3-point range. When he relies on the outside shot exclusively, he minimizes his effectiveness. The Jazz and Clippers are good defensive teams. I expect the games to trend under the projected point totals. Both teams are excellent from 3-point range. Coaching edge goes to Tyronn Lue over Quin Snyder. The bench scoring from Jordan Clarkson will give the Jazz the edge.

Player Prop Bets: Grab Mitchell if his points are projected at 27 or less. Take him over.

Enjoy the NBA Playoffs. Follow me Twitter on and we can share halftime thoughts during every game on TNT, ESPN & ABC.