Los Angeles Clippers Playoffs Schedule 2012: Odds and Predictions for 1st Round

The 2012 regular season is coming to a close and the 2012 NBA postseason is set to begin. As could only be expected of a team from Los Angeles, the Clippers with begin with one of the most highly-anticipated first-round series in recent memory.

As the Clippers look for their first playoff series win since 2006, the Memphis Grizzlies look to build upon their historic postseason from a year ago. Only one team will advance, though, and it may not be Lob City.

Here are the odds and predictions for the Clippers' potential postseason run.

Schedule for first-round series:

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD

Superstars Who Must Shine

Blake Griffin

Chris Paul is a proven playoff performer. Caron Butler averages 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds over 31 playoff games. Kenyon Martin has played in 89 postseason games, averaging 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Blake Griffin, on the other hand, has never played in a single postseason game.

In his first career postseason series, Griffin will be tasked with facing one of the deepest frontcourts in all of professional basketball. He'll be matched up against either Zach Randolph or Mareese Speights on most possessions, but could also be matched up against fellow All-Star Marc Gasol every now and then.

Randolph has proven that he can put up 20 and 10 on any given postseason night, while Speights is a physical player who is athletic enough to combat Griffin's highlight play. For the Clippers to find success in the postseason, Griffin must show up on both ends.

Role Player Who Must Emerge

One of the best scorers on the Los Angeles Clippers is also one of the most unnoticed players on the Clippers.

That man goes by the name of Randy Foye.

So far in 2012, Foye has topped 20 points on nine different occasions. Most recently was last night, when he went off for 28 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Should Foye be able to do so in at least three games of the Clippers' seven game series, the Clippers will be tough to handle, and they'll win the series.

Evidence of such is their 5-3 record when he scores 20 or more.

Offensive Strategy to Watch

Inside Out

Over the span of the season, the Clippers have altered their game plan, albeit unintentionally. While they once played from the inside out, they're now playing from the outside in, as they force jump shot after jump shot.

To defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, that must change.

At the heart of this change will be Chris Paul, as he returns to his drive-and-dish tendencies. Upon doing so, the Clippers will return to their points-in-the-paint domination. This is when the Grizzlies' offensive domination down low will meet its match.

Defensive Strategy to Watch

Single Coverage on the Low Post

If the Atlanta Hawks have taught the NBA anything, it's how to defeat a team with an elite frontcourt. Surprisingly, it's to let them loose.

For the Clippers to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, they cannot place too much emphasis on the inevitable dominance of their low-post play. Instead, the Clippers must keep their focus on perimeter threats including Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley. All can create off of the dribble and all have impressive range.

Upon executing this game plan, the Grizzlies will become much more one-dimensional and struggle to continue to keep the pace.

Biggest Hurdle in the First Round

All things considered, the Los Angeles Clippers seem to be overmatched as they approach their series with the Memphis Grizzlies. While the Clippers may be the more talented group, the Grizzlies have built a much stronger chemistry between their players.

The Clippers are more of a group of individuals with a common goal, but have uncertainty of how to put it all together.

For the Clippers to win this series, they'll need to be able to get on the same page. Midseason acquisitions have had trouble adjusting and Chauncey Billups' season-ending Achilles injury has been crippling to the Clippers' title chances.

Should they put it all together, they'll have a legitimate chance to win it all. Should they fail to, this will be a quick end to their promising season.

Last-Second NBA Playoffs Prediction

Chris Paul alone could take this team to an NBA Title. The talent around him could make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they just don't have the team unity to make a serious run at a title in 2012.

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team who has been here before and is hungry for a deeper run. While the Clippers are likely to put up one heck of a fight, it simply won't be enough. The Grizzlies' depth and far superior fundamentals will give them the seven-game series edge.

The issue? The Memphis Grizzlies do not have Chris Paul. 

Los Angeles Clippers 4 - 3 Memphis Grizzlies

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