Ideal Playoff Scenarios for Every NBA Contender

The playoffs are fast approaching, but the seeds still aren't set in either conference. While the contenders like the Chicago Bull and Miami Heat appear to be locked in to their respected pole positions, it's still uncertain who they will be playing come the first round.

Here are the ideal matchups for teams poised to make a title run.

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

Chicago is 3-1 against the Knicks this season and match up well against them. Taj Gibson’s length and athleticism could effectively shut down Carmelo Anthony, and Joakim Noah could more than handle a healthy Amar'e Stoudemire, much less an ailing one.

Meanwhile, New York would have nobody who could stop reigning MVP Derrick Rose. Baron Davis’ knees are bad and he wasn’t that great of a defender in his prime, and Landry Fields would likely have his hands full with All-Star forward Luol Deng.

Jared Jeffries might have indicated that the best matchup for the Knicks was Chicago, but frankly they wouldn’t stand a chance in a seven-game series with the Bulls. 

Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers appeared to be legitimate contenders earlier in the season, but they have since plummeted all the way down to the eighth seed in the Eastern conference.

Miami simply overpowers the Sixers talent-wise. Spencer Hawes can effectively match up with Chris bosh, but other than that, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade would trump Philly in a series that would likely only last four or five games.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns or Utah Jazz

The key for the Thunder going forward is to steal back the one seed from San Antonio to preserve home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. OKC has proven to be a tough place to play for visitors and is key for the Thunder, as they seek to make a title run.

Ideally, Oklahoma City would like to play anybody but the Rockets in the first round. They would rather see themselves matched up with the Suns or the Jazz, two teams they’ve dominated throughout the season.

A series against the Rockets could be difficult for the Thunder, as the teams have split four thrilling contests this season. Kyle Lowry is a gifted perimeter defender that could slow down Russell Westbrook for a few games, giving the Rockets the opportunity to steal some wins and force a long series with Oklahoma City.

That's why they're rather see Phoenix or Utah in the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns

Much like the Thunder, San Antonio will want to avoid the Rockets. The Spurs are 2-2 against Houston this season, including a 20-point loss on the road way back in December.

Kevin Martin has been killer in his games against the Spurs, averaging 25 points in wins against the in-state rival. A healthy Kyle Lowry could give the aging San Antonio backcourt a run for their money. It’s unlikely that Houston would pull off an upset here, but they could take the Spurs to several games.

On the flip side, Phoenix has been hapless in three contests with the Spurs so far this season, losing each by an average margin of 10.6 points. Ideally, San Antonio would like to see themselves against the Suns in the first round.

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic

Quietly emerging among the Eastern Conference’s elite are the Indiana Pacers, who look poised to earn the three seed going into the playoffs. The best matchup for them in the first round would likely be Orlando, even though the Pacers are just 1-3 against the Magic this season.

Dwight Howard's season ending injury deplete's the Magic roster and gives Indy a solid advantage in this first-round matchup. Orlando doesn’t have the defensive stopper to effectively impede the rest of the Pacers' starting five, most notably prolific scorer Danny Granger. It would be a tough series for the Magic with Superman, and the team will likely face quick elimination without him. Indiana should wrap this one up in four to five games.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks

After getting swept by the Mavs in the second round last summer, the Lakers have dominated Dallas in 2012, posting a 4-0 record against the defending champions.

Without the likes of DeShawn Stevenson and Tyson Chandler from last year, the Mavs simply lack the defensive presence to stop Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. Los Angeles could reverse the tides on Dallas this season by potentially sweeping them in four games or winning a quick five-game series.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

It would be a huge momentum shift for the Clips if they could steal the three seed from their roommates at the Staples Center and wind up with a first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets should Dallas fall to the seventh seed.

The Clips are 3-1 against the Nuggets this season, and Denver hasn’t looked the same since dealing longtime center Nene Hilario in exchange for JaVale McGee at the deadline. Denver isn’t talented enough defensively to stop Chris Paul and Lob City.

This could be a relatively short first-round series.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

They were underdogs last year and they’ll be underdogs again this year, but the Griz could potentially be a sleeper to make a title run, especially if they wind up in a first-round tussle with the Lakers.

Tony Allen is hands down the league’s best perimeter defender and relentlessly harasses Kobe Bryant when matched up against him. Marc Gasol has been dominated by Andrew Bynum this season, as Bynum has averaged 24 points and 11.6 rebound in three games against the Griz, including a stellar 37 points 16 rebound double overtime performance on March 13. However, Gasol too is one of the leagues premier defenders down low and could get it going against Bynum over a seven-game series.

With Zach Randolph’s return to the lineup, the Griz have their starting five back and could make another resounding playoff run as an underdog in 2012.

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Celtics outstanding performance in the second half of the season has once again taken them to a familiar spot among the Eastern Conference's elite. A first-round matchup with the Al Horford-less Atlanta Hawks might be ideal for them going forward.

Kevin Garnett is aging, but he still has the defensive prowess down low to shutdown Josh Smith, and Jeff Teague will likely find find himself getting picked apart by Celtics All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo.

As for Hawks swingman Joe Johnson, newly inserted starting two-guard Avery Bradley should help slow down Atlanta's franchise player. 

Boston dominates this matchup and could be poised for another unexpected playoff run, as the "Big Three" plays what could be their final games together.