NBA Playoff Predictions: 10 Bench Players Who Will Play Huge Role

Bench players are key factors in the NBA playoffs. 

Players on top-tier teams, such as James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder or Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem, will need to come off the bench, keep up the pace and score buckets while the starters are resting.

Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma have recently proved to be huge assets to their team in the place of injured starters. 

Which players will rise under pressure to lead their team deep into the postseason?

James Harden

James Harden is one of the better shooting guards in the NBA.

As the best bench player for the best team in the Western Conference, he is a favorite for the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

On a team like the Thunder, with scoring beasts Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Harden is an important factor. He's averaging 16.9 points per game. He's also 49 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free-throw line.

Not only can he score, but he also contributes four rebounds a game and nearly four assists.

If Oklahoma City wants to make a deep playoff run, they are going to need James Harden to continue to put up big numbers off the bench.

Avery Bradley

With Ray Allen out with an ankle injury, Avery Bradley has already made a name for himself with the Boston Celtics. In fact, some people are even saying that Bradley should start over Ray Allen upon his return.

Bradley has helped his team go 5-0 since filling in the starting role. In five starts, he's averaged 14.6 points on 52.8 percent shooting.

The Celtics have struggled all season to find consistent scoring, but the young shooting guard has done just that since seeing more playing time. In addition to an offensive burst, Bradley is also a key defender. The overall points allowed is lower in the games Bradley has played in.

If Ray Allen still has his starting job when he returns from injury, expect Avery Bradley to lead the bench with huge contributions.

Lou Williams

Lou Williams may come off the bench, but he also leads the Sixers in scoring.

As one of the top bench players in the league, Williams scores 15.4 points a game and averages 3.6 assists.  

The Philly fan-favorite has become the closer of the Sixers, while only averaging 26 minutes per game. Williams is also a decent defensive player, averaging 2.3 rebounds per game. 

The Sixers are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this year, and they will need Lou Williams to continue to be an all-around great player. 

Greg Stiemsma

Although he can be inconsistent sometimes, Greg Stiemsma's aggressive shot-blocking is just what the Celtics need to make a push for the championship. In the last 10 games, he's averaged 2.6 blocks per game and 3.7 boards.

Both Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox are out for the season with injuries. With Kevin Garnett taking on the role of starting center, it is necessary for the Celtics to have a solid backup for the aging veteran. Stiemsma has averaged nearly 20 minutes in the last 16 games.

Udonis Haslem

The Miami Heat are known for their superstars players—LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. But Udonis Haslem holds everything together with his solid offense and defense.

Haslem averages 7.5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game. Offensively, he's a menace in the paint, cleaning up any of the dirty work.

He was initially predicted to miss the playoffs due to an injury in his left foot, but now, a healthy Haslem will be an X-factor for Miami's championship quest.  

Manu Ginobili

Limited by a series of injuries to just 22 games this season, Manu Ginobili has shown recent productivity. I believe he can maximize his efficiency by playoff time.

The Spurs currently have an eight-game winning streak and are expected to go far in the postseason.

The 2008 Sixth Man of the Year is averaging 12.5 points this season. In addition to scoring, he racks in 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Ginobili is the third leg in San Antonio's Big Three with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. A healthy Manu Ginobili is the key to the Spurs' postseason success.

Mo Williams

Mo Williams would be a starter on most teams in the NBA. However, with All-Star point guard Chris Paul leading the Clippers, Williams is coming off the bench. 

With Chauncey Billups out for the season, the Clippers are a little shorthanded. Williams is right on time, scoring 13.6 points a game and racking up 3.1 assists. He's scored more than 20 points off the bench on seven different occasions.   

The point guard is currently sidelined with a toe injury but is expected to return within the next week. The Clippers will need Williams' aggressive scoring if they want to go far in the postseason.  

Jason Terry

Jason Terry is still one of the key factors in the success of defending champs Dallas Mavericks. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2009 and was runner-up in 2010 and 2011.

Terry is averaging 15 points a game, can shoot from beyond the arc and is an 88 percent free-throw shooter.

The 34 year-old shooting guard has plenty of playoff experience and can be described as "clutch." If an aging Dallas team wants to take another shot at the title, The Jet will have to remain consistent in his play.  

James Jones

Last season, James Jones proved that he's one of Miami's best perimeter shooters, finishing the regular season at 42.9 percent from the field and the postseason with 45.9 percent. With Mike Miller not completely healthy, it will be up to James Jones to be a top contributor off the bench.

In the playoffs, teams will lock down LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, so the Heat need another scoring option. That's where Jones comes in. Although he only plays 10.2 minutes per game, Jones will have to contribute on offense to give the Heat the depth they need to make a deep playoff run.  

O.J. Mayo

O.J. Mayo was a starter his first two years in Memphis, but inconsistency forced him into a backup role last season. Surprisingly, Mayo has been producing better than ever since coming off the bench. 

He is one of the NBA's best and most dangerous scorers off the bench, averaging 12.6 points a game. He scored 22 points in 30 minutes during Monday's win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If Mayo continues to be a consistent scorer for the Grizzles, they could see success in the playoffs.