2012 NBA Playoffs: Picking Winners for Each Matchup in Round 1

The 2012 NBA playoffs are almost upon us and it's time to pick winners for all the matchups in the first round.

After a compressed and lockout-shortened season in which teams often played two nights in a row, the teams will now get settled into more of a routine while the games will come down to game-planning and half-court execution.

So, which teams will advance into the conference semifinals?

Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (8) 

This series won't last long. In fact, I'm predicting the Bulls to win in a clean sweep.

One thing's for sure: You aren't going to see any 120-115 games between these two clubs.

The Bulls are ranked No. 1 in points allowed per game, while the 76ers are ranked No. 2 in the same category.

The Bulls take the cake in all other departments, though, and they will easily beat the 76ers due to their ability to execute within their half-court sets.

Prediction: Bulls win the series, 4-0.

Miami Heat (2) vs. New York Knicks (7)

The Heat shouldn't have any trouble dispatching the Knicks in this series.

They score more points on average than the Knicks and are better at stopping opponents from scoring as well.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will dominate the action in this first-round matchup, though Carmelo Anthony will surely get plenty of opportunities to respond in kind.

In the end, the real disparity between the two teams is that the Knicks don't move the ball well at all in their half-court sets and score most of their points off of one-one-one matchups. 

That won't cut it in the playoffs.

Prediction: Miami wins the series, 4-2.

Indiana Pacers (3) vs. Orlando Magic (6)

I can see this series going either way, depending on a few key factors.

I expect Danny Granger to have some issues against the Magic's trio of small forwards, Quentin and Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.

Stan Van Gundy will rotate them to keep their legs fresh, but ultimately, if one gets hot, that's the player he'll ride.

The Pacers do a fantastic job crashing the boards, and without Dwight Howard dominating the paint, they'll win this battle.

In the end, I expect the Pacers to beat the Magic, but it will be ugly.

Prediction: Pacers win the series, 4-3.

Boston Celtics (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)

The Celtics should be able handle the Hawks in this series, but it could be an ugly one to watch.

Both teams are terrific on the defensive side of the ball, but they both struggle to put up points. 

The one thing that sets the Celtics apart is their ability to execute within their sets. They get a majority of their points off of assists, making them tough to defend.

Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Al Horford is out for the series, and his absence will be the nail in the coffin for the Hawks.

Prediction: Celtics win the series, 4-2.

San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Utah Jazz (8)

The Jazz have no chance to beat the Spurs, but the games should be exciting to watch as both teams featured high-scoring offenses during the regular season. 

Tim Duncan comes into the playoffs as rested as he's ever been. Greg Popovich's bench has allowed him to win the West while playing Duncan only 28 minutes per game.

The Jazz feature a strong post presence, but they won't be able to compete against Duncan and the Spurs.

Prediction: Spurs win the series, 4-1.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)

After winning an NBA championship last year, the Mavs look significantly weaker in 2012.

They struck out on the Lamar Odom fiasco, and Dirk Nowitzki looks like a shell of himself.

Conversely, the Thunder are coming on strong. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook headline a talented young roster that looks ready to take the league by storm for the next few years.

Prediction: Thunder win the series, 4-2.

Los Angeles Lakers (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (6)

Despite the fact that Metta World Peace is suspended for seven games, the Lakers shouldn't have any problems wiping the floor with the Nuggets.

As long as Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Ramon Sessions are out there for the Lakers, they will win.

The Nuggets are developing a scary-good team that will be ready to win in the near future, but their time has not yet come.

Prediction: Lakers win the series, 4-1.

Memphis Grizzlies (4) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)

The Grizzlies are going to be tough for the Clippers to beat. The two teams are quite similar in that they both have seven players averaging 10 points or more.

Even if their top scorers are having an off night, there are plenty of players on both teams who can get the job done.

This series will come down to the fact that Chris Paul is better at distributing the ball than Mike Conley. The Grizzlies struggle to score in their half-court sets, and it will ultimately doom them.

Prediction: Clippers win the series, 4-2.

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