NBA Playoffs 2012: Key Matchups, Players and Storylines

There's almost no doubt the postseason's most interesting subplot comes down to who makes it out of the Eastern Conference alive. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls both had incredible seasons, and the Boston Celtics could be in position to complicate things.

As thrilling as the race at the top of the East may be, there are plenty of other stories bound to make the playoffs as lively as ever. As much as everyone would like to see titans like the Spurs and Lakers clash, a number of upsets could alter those prime-time matchups.

As always, stars will be made, hearts will be broken, and a few highlights may become unforgettable and defining NBA moments. Here are a few stories to follow for all of the above.

Who Will the Real MVP Be?

Of course, official MVP honors don't take postseason success into account, but that doesn't mean fans shouldn't.

For the most dominant teams, the regular season isn't much more than an extension of the preseason. Legends are made in the playoffs. That could be especially important to LeBron James, who already has a couple of MVP awards.

James has probably edged out the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant for this season's top recognition, but the question haunting him is whether he can take his team to victory in the NBA Finals, where he's has come up short twice.

Meanwhile, Durant could establish himself at the unofficial real MVP with clutch play and a successful postseason. The actual MVP race may be nearing an end, but that doesn't mean the conversation has to stop. 

Will There Be an Old-School NBA Finals?

Before the season started, conventional wisdom suggested the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics were "too old" to remain serious contenders. 

Never mind that Tony Parker is not yet 30 and playing with MVP-like efficiency—or that Boston's 26-year-old point guard is averaging 11.6 assists a game. The assumption was all the guys in their 30s were bordering on washed-up.

To be sure, we've seen age be a factor for these teams. Manu Ginobili has had an unlucky series of recent injuries dating back to last year's first-round series against Memphis, and Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett have both had their minutes limited.

And yet, both of these teams have been exceptional since the All-Star break and look poised to surprise their respective detractors—perhaps even in the NBA Finals.

Will Carmelo Anthony Lead the Knicks Past the First Round?

With Jeremy Lin sidelined and Amar'e Stoudemire looking more and more like a second option by the day, the weight of the world (or at least New York City) is on Carmelo Anthony's shoulders.

A first-round series against the Miami Heat is an unparalleled opportunity to establish himself as much more than a prolific scorer. Not only would upsetting the Heat be a monumental accomplishment in its own right, but it would be accomplished by a team that's suffered through a season of disarray, culminating in Mike D'Antoni's exit and Mike Woodson's subsequent stint as interim coach.

Of course, if New York comes up short as expected, questions about the lack of chemistry between Anthony and Stoudemire will re-emerge in full force.

Are the Los Angeles Lakers Still a Contender?

The mid-season addition of Ramon Sessions has certainly helped Los Angeles remain in the NBA Finals discussion. A double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday didn't hurt either.

Nevertheless, there remain questions about this team's ability to play a Mike Brown-brand of defense, and there's always the risk that this club's stars start to show the effects of a compressed season and a lot of minutes.

The two biggest factors will be Kobe Bryant's consistency and Andrew Bynum's maturity. Bryant has been inefficient at times and could shoot the Lakers out of a series, while Bynum has yet to prove he's willing to do all the little things his team may need from him.

If both guys answer the bell, though, the Lakers will be tough to stop.

Could the Reigning Champs Get Swept in the First Round?

The Dallas Mavericks will play either the Oklahoma City Thunder or Los Angeles Lakers in a first round that could look a lot more like the conference finals.

It could also look like a beat-down if Dallas doesn't soon hit its stride. The Mavericks haven't been bad this season, but they also haven't ever looked especially dominant. The same can't be said of both the Thunder and Lakers, both of whom will enter the playoffs off impressive regular seasons.

It's hard to imagine Dirk Nowitzki allowing his team to be swept so soon in the postseason—this man's shooting ability can singlehandedly win big games. Still, there's a chance it could be a very short series for the defending champs. 

Can the Philadelphia 76ers Upset the Chicago Bulls?

Few teams have anywhere near the depth Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has to work with on a nightly basis, but the Philadelphia 76ers might just be one of those teams.

If Philadelphia remains the eighth seed, coach Doug Collins will return to his old stomping grounds in pursuit of a miracle. If you've forgotten, Collins was the guy who coached a young Michael Jordan before Phil Jackson came along to collect the trophies.

Today, Collins has taken an ensemble cast of decent players and turned them into a team that's looked quite good at times this season. They're sort of like a less talented version of the Chicago Bulls—and one that happens to be missing an MVP like Derrick Rose.

If the Bulls go cold for a couple of games, Philadelphia could make this a series out of this.

Who's Set to Take over the West?

The Memphis Grizzlies proved they could stick around in the postseason against the San Antonio Spurs last year, and they will attempt to do so again—this time against either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Los Angeles Lakers.

Either scenario will be a test for the young Grizzlies, but Memphis has looked fantastic since the All-Star break, earning wins against the Lakers, Clippers, Thunder, Heat and Mavericks.

Should the Grizzlies wind up facing the Clippers, the matchup becomes even more interesting—both teams fancy themselves as heir apparents to the Western Conference throne. Both are young teams loaded with talent.

There may not be a better point guard than Chris Paul, but Memphis is a deep team with proven performers like Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. This could be a fun series to watch.

Whoever comes out of it alive will be set to give the San Antonio Spurs a run for their money in the second round.