NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Atlanta Hawks and Teams That Will Fail Miserably

The 2012 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 28 and most of the matchups are already set by now.

Even during this strike-shortened season, we’ve seen enough basketball to know which teams are contenders and which are pretenders.

Let’s take a look at some teams that may have been able to sneak into the postseason, but are not a threat to actually win a series or make the finals.

Atlanta Hawks

Al Horford will not be available for ATL’s first-round series against the Boston Celtics, which is unfortunate because the team will not advance further without him.

Boston is a veteran team full of winners that are hungry and motivated for one last finals run. They have one weakness, a lack of quality big men, and that happens to be the same problem that the Hawks have.

Los Angeles Clippers

If Blake Griffin thinks he is being fouled hard now, wait until he gets into the playoffs and goes up against a tough, seasoned team like Memphis.

He’ll be introduced and reintroduced to the floor each and every time he tries to go for one of his signature posterizing dunks.

If Griffin can’t hack it, Chris Paul is going to have to put this team on his shoulders for them to even have a shot at advancing beyond the opening round.

Orlando Magic

As much as people want to root for this team now that Dwight Howard is deactivated, they simply don’t have the firepower or defensive capabilities to beat the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game series.

Orlando will struggle against the incredible size and relentless depth of the Pacers, and it does not look like they will be moving past Round 1 this year. 

Fortunately, this quick trip to the offseason will give them plenty of time to figure out a way to finally get rid of DH12.