Sports

Western Conference about to find out how hard-fought regular season translates to playoffs

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins claps during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The Grizzlies defeated the Jazz 86-70. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) (The Associated Press)

Miami Heat guard Ray Allen, left, guard Dwyane Wade, center, and forward Shane Battier, right, watch from the bench during the final seconds of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, April 17, 2013 in Miami. The Heat defeated the Magic 105-93. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (The Associated Press)

The West has been the better conference during the regular season, and now teams are looking for the payoff during the NBA postseason.

The conference has been so dominant that the second-seeded New York Knicks in the East would be only the No. 6 seed in the West.

Sure, the NBA playoffs will run through the defending champion Miami Heat and LeBron James, but Memphis coach Lionel Hollins says he prefers playing against the best to make his team better.

And that's why Hollins says he likes playing in the West over the East.

But it makes it more difficult to get to the finals.

The matchups in the West should make for entertaining playoff drama, but only one survivor will play for the NBA title in June.