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2018 NBA Playoffs Roundtable: The wild wild West edition

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Which lower seed posses the biggest threat to the Rockets/Warriors? 

Jacob Doole, Contributor: This feels like a boring answer now, but it has to be the Utah Jazz. Ever since Rudy Gobert returned to the lineup, they’ve gone from a fringe playoff squad to an elite contender, and all signs point to that success being sustainable.

According to StatMuse, over the last 41 games the Jazz rank first in all of net rating, defensive rating, scoring margin and effective field goal percentage allowed. They have the second-best record in that time. At least statistically, they’re just about the only team that can hold a candle to the Rockets and Warriors. Whether they can keep up in a seven-game series remains to be seen.

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Quinn Allen, Contributor: I Think the Timberwolves. They have several weapons who can make some noise in this series, especially Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler. If they can slow down the Rockets fast-paced game and prevent the Rockets from getting hot from the three-point line, the series could be interesting. Towns has the ability to take over a game offensively but he will have a tough counterpart in Clint Capela. I don’t think Minnesota will win the series, but if they play good defense and their main guys get going they could make it entertaining.

Dante Nelson, Contributor: The biggest threat? The San Antonio Spurs are always in conversation. The Timberwolves played well and then Jimmy Butler went down and things cooled off. They’re better than their record, but they weren’t contending for anything. My biggest threat is the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have a lot of hungry star power and have shown they can hang during the regular season.

Bronson Hope, Contributor: The lower seed that provides the biggest threat to either of these teams is the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Jimmy Butler being back, the Timberwolves are back to their full potential. Before his injury, the Wolves were a 4 seed and likely still would’ve been had he stayed healthy the whole season.

Due to this, the Rockets are not getting your typical 8 seed in their first-round matchup. The bottom half of the standings were so close, winning one or two more games could have put the Timberwolves in a completely different position. Jimmy Butler and company will definitely be motivated to play spoiler and send the Rockets packing in the first round.

Dan Knitzer, Contributor: With Jimmy Butler back, and Luc MBah Moute out, Chris Paul and James Harden will have to work on the defensive end. While Houston can easily outscore and out assist Minnesota’s backcourt, they will get killed on the glass. PJ Tucker on Karl-Anthony Towns is not going to work for the Rockets.