NBA Playoff Predictions 2012: Low Seeds Sure to Score an Upset

With only a few days between now and the beginning of the NBA playoffs, it will be very interesting to see how teams are seeded and which lower seed can become this year's Memphis Grizzlies and shock a higher seed or two along the way.

There may not be many upsets along the way to crowning the 2012 NBA champions, but there are a couple of teams that are sitting as lower seeds who are capable of advancing a round or two.

Here's a quick look at a few teams who are most likely to pull off a first-round upset.

New York Knicks

If the playoffs started today, the Knicks and Miami Heat would be meeting in the first round to renew their decade-old rivalry.

While it's true the Knicks haven't defeated the Heat on the season, New York is just too dangerous of a team and has a legitimate opportunity to beat anyone they meet in the first round. With that being said, they are also an inconsistent team who could just as easily be swept as they could pull off a first-round upset.

They are deep and talented and if Mike Woodson can get Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on the same page and producing, the Knicks will be a very tough out.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are a very good No. 5 seed and will likely be matched up against a Los Angeles Clippers team who's short on playoff experience.

The 4-5 series in the west could be the best first-round series on paper and Memphis has a real good chance to keep the Cinderella run from a season ago going.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have put together a pretty solid season and won't face an impossible matchup in the Boston Celtics.

After dropping the first two meetings on the season, Atlanta beat Boston Friday night, which should give them plenty of confidence as they head into the playoffs. Plus, you never know if the legs of the Celtics Big Three will hold up to a long series after the shortened season.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs haven't beaten the Lakers all season long, but what type of Lakers team will we see in the postseason? 

Can Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Mike Brown all be on the same page at the same time? 

It's doubtful and even though the Mavs haven't had success against Kobe and company this season, any time you can lean on dirk Nowitzki, you have a good chance at success.