NBA Playoffs Bracket 2012: Utah Jazz and 5 Teams Ready to Play Spoiler

Looking at the potential 2012 NBA playoff bracket, the higher seeds are clearly the class of the league, meaning there might not be many upsets on the horizon when the postseason kicks off on Saturday.

While there may not be any clear cut upset picks through the first round, there are a few teams capable of potentially playing spoiler along the way.

With that being said, here's a look at a few teams that could end up playing spoiler for the heavy favorites.

Utah Jazz

The No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs fell victim to a No. 8 seed last season, but could lightning strike twice in San Antonio?

The Jazz have the talent to play with the Spurs, and you have to think that their frontcourt—which includes Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap—will have a couple big games that can potentially keep the Jazz in the series.

Utah is entering the postseason on a hot streak, winners of four straight, and are a team that the Spurs shouldn't take lightly.

New York Knicks

With the way the Knicks have played at both ends of the floor under Mike Woodson (17-6), they are a legitimate threat to beat anyone in a seven-game series.

If the playoffs started today, the Knicks would be matched up against the Heat, but with the way Carmelo Anthony is playing—he's averaging 29.7 PPG in the month of April—the Knicks can be scary good.

They have the superstar talent they need in Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler, and they have outstanding depth up and down the roster. If guys like Iman Shumpert, Baron Davis, Landry Fields, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith can contribute, watch out for the Knicks.

If they play defense for 48 minutes, the Knicks can beat anyone. If they don't, they realistically could get swept.

Dallas Mavericks

Don't count out Dirk Nowitzki and the defending champs just yet. Whether they are the No. 6 seed facing the Lakers or the No. 7 seed facing the Nuggets, the Mavericks are a team that's not going to go quietly.

They haven't fared well against either team during the regular season, going a combined 1-7, but they match up well against a team like Oklahoma City. And if Nowitzki is hot, it wouldn't surprise me if Dallas upset either team.

Indiana Pacers

With Indiana, it's a look ahead to playing spoiler in the second round, because they should have no problem getting past the Orlando Magic.

Although no one talks about them, this Indiana team is very good and won't be intimidated by Miami (or the Knicks). They have length in the frontcourt, and the Pacers are also deep and athletic. They definitely are talented enough to give either opponent a run for their money in the second round.

Memphis Grizzlies

Finally, there's last years Cinderella playoff team in Memphis, who can play with anyone in the NBA in a seven-game series.

If they get past the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1, they could have a potential rematch against the Spurs in the second round, and we all know what happened between the two last season.

With a team that consists of Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, the Grizzlies are capable of playing spoiler for anyone.