May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fan holds up a sign to bring on the Miami Heat after the Pacers defeat the New York Knicks in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

With two games have gone by already and one series yet to start, the Conference Finals are going to be exciting, yet again! Last year in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to beat the San Antonio Spurs in order to move on, but get their hearts broken by the lower seeded Miami Heat. In the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Heat were able to knock off the Boston Celtics to get to the Finals, where LeBron James finally captured that elusive NBA Championship.

This year, however, things have changed. The injury bug has always been there, but this year, is there in a huge way. The only teams that don’t have significant injuries, other than Danny Granger, are the only teams left in contention. It’s been an unfortunate year that saw many superstars out, but the show must always go on. And that, my friends, it will.

Heat (1) vs Pacers (3):

After knocking off the New York Knicks cleanly, the Indiana Pacers are going to Miami to face the Heat in Game 1 on 5/22. It’s going to be pretty intense, considering the exchange of “pleasantries” between Frank Vogel and Lebron. Now that these two teams are “rivals” it’ll make for a much more entertaining playoff series. As this series has yet to begin, fans are wondering who’s going to come out strong. Of course the prediction is that the Heat win, again, but others are saying that the Pacers are the only team in the Eastern Conference capable of taking out the Heat. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Prediction: Heat win 4-2

Spurs (2) vs Grizzlies (5):

As the lowest seed left in contention, the Memphis Grizzlies must have been feeling pretty good about themselves coming into the series. Not tonight, however. In Game 1, the Spurs absolutely torched the Grizzlies, and Game 2, although closer, saw the Spurs winning yet again, but this time in OT. They were able to fend of the Grizzlies 15-2 run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to gain themselves a victory. That’s a hard fought one if you ask me. For the Grizzlies, it’s heartbreaking, but they need to stay focused, and not allow the Spurs to take a 3-0 series advantage.
Prediction: Spurs win 4-1

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Glen Rice Jr is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Since we are no draft experts over here at Fully Clips, I’ve decided to throw together excerpts from several mock drafts that hint at whom the Los Angeles Clippers are going to take with the 25th overall pick in this years NBA Draft. Based on need this team either needs a shooting guard or a center. Here you go:

NBADraft.Net – SG Allen Crabbe

CBS Sports:
Matt Moore: SG Kentavious Gladwell-Pope
Jeff Goodman: C Jeff Withey

NBA.com’s Scott Howard Cooper – SG Glen Rice Jr.

The long road back (D-League stop helps college washout revive his NBA dream) for the son of the former All-Star small forward includes playing for the Rio Grande Vipers after being kicked off the team at Georgia Tech. He will get a lot of tough questions from executives trying to determine if he has learned from past mistakes.

CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman – SF Dario Saric

The 19-year-old is a good passer and is extremely versatile. He’ll need to get stronger and work on his jumper, but he could fit in well if the Clippers stay intact.

Sheridan Hoops’ Joe Kotoch – C Jeff Withey

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among the best big duos in the league this season, but the Clippers played them heavy minutes due to a lack of options off the bench.

Withey would provide the Clippers with a valuable reserve big who could pick up right where Jordan left off; blocking shots, rebounding and getting easy buckets underneath. He may not be an athlete, but the way he contested shots in college illustrates how he can help Los Angeles.

As a team that aspires to contending for titles, Los Angeles wants players who can contribute. Withey will do that.

Rotoworld’s Steve Alexander – SG Allen Crabbe

The Clippers have a need at shooting guard, with Willie Green getting a lot of starts and Jamal Crawford embracing the role of sixth man. Crabbe is a shot maker, likes to run off screens and has a solid offensive game, which should work well with the Clippers’ offense.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix – C Jeff Withey

The Clippers could sorely use a more offensive-oriented option at center. Withey isn’t it, but he is a big, skilled defender who can fill in at either frontcourt spot and provide protection for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in case of foul trouble. Withey isn’t the type of player who creates offense for himself, but he’s athletic and a good finisher, and playing alongside Chris Paul would undoubtedly jack up his production.

Draft Express/Yahoo! Sports Jonathan Givony – SG Allen Crabbe

Clippers’ No. 1 priority this summer will be to re-sign Chris Paul, which could give them the flexibility to use the highly coveted Eric Bledsoe as trade bait to improve their roster over the summer. Bledsoe is actually the only non-starter with a guaranteed contract next season, meaning the front office could have plenty of holes to fill on the wing and in the frontcourt.

Since its unlikely the team will find a point guard ready to play a real role with what’s available on the board in this current scenario, adding a knockdown shooter like Allen Crabbe could be attractive.He has the length to play either wing position, giving him the flexibility to play alongside Jamal Crawford or Caron Butler, depending on the situation.

SB Nation’s Jonathan Tjarks – C Kenny Kadji

The one piece the Clippers really need is a big man who can stretch the floor for Blake Griffin. Kadji is a 6’11, 245-pound center who shoots 35 percent from three. He may only do one thing, but it’s a valuable thing to do.