NBA Playoffs predictions 2014: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors

This is the series that I think most people wanted to see in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. It's no secret that the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors have developed one of the best rivalries in the NBA throughout the past couple of years, and now we get to see them go at it in a best-of-seven series.

Stephen Curry gained national attention one year ago when he and the Warriors torched the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. After last year's postseason run it became clear that Curry was not only the best shooter in the league, but perhaps the best point guard as well. That's certainly up for debate, but I think that Chris Paul will have something to say about it. If you want spectacular point guard play, this is the series for you.

But the big question going into this first-round series is how the Warriors will deal with the loss of Andrew Bogut. After suffering a fractured rib, it's unlikely that Bogut will be able to play at all against the Clippers. With Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan throwing down dunks and gobbling up rebounds, do the Warriors have an answer for Los Angeles in the frontcourt? We'll find out soon enough.

The Warriors aren't going into the playoffs with a lot of momentum. The last time they beat a playoff team was over two weeks ago. They've had some turmoil among their assistant coaches and the injury to Andrew Bogut means that they'll be without a guy who is arguably their second-most important player. Meanwhile, the Clippers are just getting healthy at the right time. Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick are back and ready to go. CP3 and Blake Griffin look poised to make a deep playoff run for the first time since teaming up in LA. What's the point of making predictions if you aren't willing to be bold sometimes? Clippers in 4.