Best and Worst Possible NBA Playoff Matchups for Every Potential Playoff Team

Heading into 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend, postseason talks only continue to grow.

Jeremy Lin has come to the rescue in New York, while LeBron and D-Wade have led the Miami Heat to a league-best start after a disappointing 2011 NBA Finals. Over in the West, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have their Oklahoma City Thunder playing as well as any team in the league.

With the plethora of stories brewing around the NBA, there has also been a focus on potential 2012 NBA playoff matchups.

Do the Celtics need to avoid the Heat in the first round? Should the Lakers be fearing the Thunder more than any team in the league?

These are the best and worst matchups for each of the 18 teams considered playoff contenders heading into the All-Star break.

*Note: The teams are listed in order from worst to best in the league.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Best Matchup: Houston Rockets

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team that win games withtalented offensive players, so a matchup against the Houston Rockets would heavily favor the Wolves.

The Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love tandem would be too much for a team like Houston to reckon with early in the postseason. Kevin Martin and the troops would have their hands full defensively.

This season, the T'Wolves are 2-1 against Houston.

Worst Matchup: L.A. Lakers

It is difficult to imagine Minnesota finding an answer to L.A.'s frontcourt monsters.

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum would eat up the paint against a weaker defensive team like the Timberwolves. Matched up with the Lakers, the Timberwolves would be playing against the one team in the West that rebounds the basketball better.

Denver Nuggets

Best Matchup: L.A. Lakers

The Denver Nuggets are the one team with enough speed offensively and commitment defensively to beat a team like the Lakers in the 2012 postseason.

Boasting big men like Nene Hilario and rookie Kenneth Faried in their frontcourt, these Nuggets will have the best chance at taking a team like the Lakers down early in the playoffs.

Worst Matchup: L.A. Clippers

Although they might have the upper hand against one team in L.A., there is no question that the Clippers will outright handle the Nuggets in a seven-game series. The Clipps are too fast, talented and athletic to be beaten by a team like Denver.

The Clippers are lethal in the half-court set with Chris Paul running the point, giving the Nuggets too much to handle defensively.

Boston Celtics

Best Matchup: Chicago Bulls

Despite the dominance the Bulls have brought to the table this season, there is no question that the Boston Celtics have the ability to take this team in a seven-game series.

The 2011 MVP resides in Chicago, but Rose will have a stiff test going against the Big Three. Two of the better defensive teams in basketball going head-to-head could work in favor of the C's in this one.

Worst Matchup: Miami Heat

After the 2011 postseason, these new-look, struggling Celtics have to be fearing the Miami Heat now more than ever.

The Heat handled what was a healthy, solid Celtics basketball team in last year's playoffs. LeBron James and the Miami Heat are even more complete of a team than they were last season. This matchup does anything but bode well for the Celtics.

New York Knicks

Best Matchup: Orlando Magic

The New York Knicks were once a pretender in the East. Now with PG sensation Jeremy Lin running the show, there is a significant advantage for this team against the Magic.

Not to underestimate Jameer Nelson of Orlando, but Lin's quickness and ability to hit the gaps in the defense would be the difference maker.

Worst Matchup: Miami Heat

In a loss to the Miami Heat in their most recent outing, there was no question that the Knicks are yet to be considered championship threats.

LeBron James and the Heat dismantled the Knicks in the 14-point win with a lethal transition game and an emphasis on taking the ball to the cup.

Portland Trail Blazers

Best Matchup: Denver Nuggets

Jamal Crawford has been the difference maker for this Portland Trail Blazers team this season, leading the troops to an 18-16 start to the season.

If they were to play against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, the Trail Blazers would be in a position to thrive. The Blazers are 2-0 against the Nuggets this season, including a 20-point win in the most recent showdown. 

Worst Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder

It's tough to not put down the Oklahoma City Thunder as every team's worst matchup in the West. This season, OKC has been running through teams behind the offensive firepower of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

The Thunder are simply too offensively gifted a team for the Trailblazers to compete with. With LaMarcus Aldridge and Crawford, the Blazers certainly have scoring talent, but Westbrook and Durant would end up being too much to handle.

Memphis Grizzlies

Best Matchup: San Antonio Spurs

The Memphis Grizzlies handed the San Antonio Spurs a shocking upset in the 2011 postseason, dominating them in six games.

What gave the Grizzlies the advantage was the fact that they could compete with the Spurs' big men. With Rudy Gay having one of the better seasons in basketball this season, there is no question the Grizzlies can take it to them yet again.

Worst Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder

Plain and simple, Oklahoma City is a better team than Memphis.

The Grizzlies like to push the ball in transition and win games with tough, explosive defense. The Thunder do just that, but with better personnel.

As good as Memphis has been this season, they would meet their match against Durant and the Thunder.

Houston Rockets

Best Matchup: Portland Trail Blazers

What would a Houston Rockets slide be without Chase Budinger? Right?

Getting back to the matter at hand, the Trail Blazers are a team that the Rockets would be hopeful to meet up with in the 2012 NBA playoffs.

They are 2-0 against Portland this season, winning one game in Houston and one on the road. Their most recent win came at Portland in a game where Budinger led all scorers with 22 points.

Worst Matchup: L.A. Clippers

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan would have a field day against the Rockets, as the explosiveness of the bigs would be too much for Houston to keep under control.

There is no answer in Houston for the high-flying, rim-rattling games of "Lob City." As offensively talented as their team is, defensively, Luis Scola and Samuel Dalembert will have their hands full, to say the least.

If there's one team Houston doesn't want to play, rest assured it's the Clippers.

Atlanta Hawks

Best Matchup: Philadelphia 76ers

What makes the Philadelphia 76ers such a favorable matchup for the Hawks is that Philly is a new up-and-coming team in the league. Not to mention, they have dropped five games in a row and are starting to look a bit like last year's less successful squad. 

The Atlanta Hawks are a defensively gifted ball club and have several capable scoring threats as well. Though Joe Johnson and Josh Smith would have to bring it, the Hawks have what it takes to defeat the 76ers. 

Worst Matchup: Orlando Magic

Josh Smith is a great defender—in particular, a proven shot blocker. Yet up against a player like Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, it will be difficult for Smith to shine. 

Howard has been dominating opponents this season, leading his Magic to a 22-12 record with 20.3 points and 15.4 rebounds per contest.

Talk about some outright impressive numbers from Superman.

Indiana Pacers

Best Matchup: Boston Celtics

The Indiana Pacers have been red hot this season, and it all began with a 6-2 start which included a win over the Boston Celtics. The Pacers went on to beat the Celtics again on their home floor before falling in another meeting at TD Garden.

It is clear that the Celtics have a weakness against the Pacers, as Roy Hibbert has been quite successful against this Boston ball club.

Worst Matchup: Chicago Bulls

If one thing is certain about this Bulls team, it's that the emphasis is on the defensive end of the floor. This team lives, eats and breathes defense.

Indiana is a sound offensive unit, but going up against an experienced, defensive team in Chicago would be a difficult first or second-round matchup to say the least. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Best Matchup: Chicago Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers have burst onto the scene this season, winning 20 of its first 29 games of the season. Despite dropping five straight games, this is a team that has proven they are playoff-ready.

In spite of their losing streak, the 76ers remain atop the league in points allowed per game, giving up just 87.5 points per game to opponents. Many don't realize just how special this team is defensively, wearing teams down with explosive plays and a plethora of transition points.

A defensive-minded team like the Bulls, who are not as explosive defensively as the 76ers, could experience a world of trouble.

Worst Matchup: Miami Heat

There is no team that wants to play the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs. The 76ers would have a steep hill to climb in order to take down LeBron and company in the postseason.

The Heat play the same offensive game as the 76ers, but have been doing it much better as of late. They are winners of eight straight games, and have won each of those games by double-digits with explosive play on both ends.

Dallas Mavericks

Best Matchup: Denver Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks have had their way with the Nuggets this season, going 2-1 and winning their last two against them by a double-digit margin. 

It would seem that the Mavericks have what it takes to beat the Nuggets if they can take this mental advantage into the postseason.

Worst Matchup: L.A. Lakers

Despite taking it to the Lakers in the 2011 postseason with a sweep of the former champions, these Mavs will have plenty of problems against them in 2012.

The Lakers have kept the majority of their parts intact, while the Mavericks have given up crucial pieces in J.J. Barea and Tyson Chandler.

These two moves would cost the Mavs in a rematch with the Lakers.

L.A. Lakers

Best Matchup: Dallas Mavericks

Give Kobe Bryant a shot at revenge, and nine times out of 10 it won't work out well for the opposition.

The Dallas Mavericks may have had the last say in 2011, but this Lakers ball club is starting to heat up and is finally getting exceptional play from Andrew Bynum in the frontcourt.

The Mavericks, unlike the Lakers, have struggled mightily this season to play consistent basketball. Losing Tyson Chandler has seemed to take a greater toll on this team than expected.

Worst Matchup: Portland Trail Blazers

Portland displayed an impressive ability to score the basketball in both matchups with the Lakers this season (one win, one loss). 

Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford and LaMarcus Aldridge are a force offensively, and an older Lakers team would have their hands full defensively throughout the course of a seven-game series.

There is no question that if there is one team these Lakers would prefer not to meet early in the playoffs, it's the Trail Blazers.

Orlando Magic

Best Matchup: Atlanta Hawks

Ironically, with all the drama and rumors surrounding Dwight Howard this season, the Orlando Magic have been showing significant signs of improvement in 2012.

In spite of dropping two games to Atlanta this season, there is no question that the Magic would have the clear edge over the Hawks. They bring the best center in basketball to the table, while also boasting several top-notch three-ball shooters.

At the PG spot, Jameer Nelson will have his way offensively.

Worst Matchup: Philadelphia 76ers

For two straight seasons, the Philadelphia 76ers have given the Magic fits. 

The Magic have split two games against the 76ers this season, scoring just 69 points in the loss at Philly. 

L.A. Clippers

Best Matchup: San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs are having a season to remember in 2012, as they now are in contention for the No. 1 seed in the West after winning 11 straight games.

Yet against a fast, explosive offensive team like the Clippers, there is no question the Spurs would struggle. The pace of Blake Griffin and company would be a lot for this older Spurs team to handle after the wear and tear of the regular season.

Worst Matchup: L.A. Lakers

In the battle of the city—and the same arena—the Clippers would have trouble knocking off the experienced, veteran Lakers squad.

Kobe Bryant's scoring ability paired with the sound inside play of Bynum and Gasol is something that the Clippers may not have an answer for.

It is not to say the Lakers are the favorites in this matchup, but the Clippers would be undoubtedly going up against their toughest potential opponent. Kobe would have to love nothing more than to silence the "Lob City" hype in L.A.

San Antonio Spurs

Best Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves

Everyone said the Spurs were too old and didn't stand a chance in the West heading into this season. Sure enough, they are well in the playoff mix and competing for a No. 1 seed in the conference.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a great story in the league this season, but against the Spurs they would be overwhelmed. The experience, defense and consistent three-point shooting of San Antonio would hand Kevin Love and company an early playoff exit. 

Worst Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite losing out in experience, the Thunder are a team that would take care of business against the San Antonio Spurs in a postseason matchup.

The Thunder have been just short of sensational as of late and continue to make a mockery of opponents with their explosive offensive attack. 

Chicago Bulls

Best Matchup: Orlando Magic

Although they have faced Orlando just once in 2012, the Chicago Bulls are a team that have all the right pieces to take down a team like the Magic.

Against one of the more solid defenses in the game, a stagnant Magic offense would make life easy for D-Rose and the surging Bulls.

Worst Matchup: Miami Heat

There isn't any other team that even comes close here. 

The Heat are the one roadblock that the Bulls have to overcome. They are the one team standing between them and an NBA Finals appearance. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

Best Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies

Kevin Durant has a field day whenever he goes against the Memphis Grizzlies. In four games against Memphis last season, Durant averaged 30.5 points per game on over 47 percent shooting from the field.

Already 3-0 this season against the Grizzlies at the midway point, there is little to indicate that the Thunder have any reason to fear Memphis.

Worst Matchup: Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are a complete basketball team that boasts unselfish ball movement and a fast-paced offense.

Against the Nuggets this season, the Thunder were within seconds of losing in before they kicked it into high gear in overtime. 

As the Nuggets continue to grow and gain more chemistry as a unit, it will be interesting to see just how strong this team can get heading into postseason.

Miami Heat

Best Matchup: Boston Celtics

Though the Miami Heat have expressed plenty of respect for the Boston Celtics organization, it is clear they are now the best team in the East hands down.

Last postseason, the Heat easily beat the Celtics in a series where each of the Big Three were healthy and the supporting cast was arguably better than that of this season.

A Heat team that has only improved since then would have to be hopeful that they end up with a first-round meeting with the Celtics.

Worst Matchup: New York Knicks

This may look like a typo to a lot of NBA fans.

No, the team the Heat should fear is not Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls—it's the New York Knicks.

Since Jeremy Lin has elevated his game in the Big Apple, this Knicks team has inevitably given every team in the league something to think about. The Knicks are now a more cohesive unit offensively and have even had some somewhat solid defensive outings as well.

There is plenty of room to grow for this Knicks team. Talent-wise, there is no question the offense has enough to compete with that of Miami. Lin can finish at the rim, Carmelo is one of the more lethal scorers in the game, and J.R. Smith and Steve Novak provide range.

The Heat are hands down the best team in the East, but with over 30 games left on the year, there is still plenty to be seen from these Knicks.