NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Celtics and More Dark-Horse Title Contenders

The Boston Celtics are one of the dark-horse NBA Finals contenders who fans are not expecting to make a deep run in the playoffs, but certainly have the talent and experience to do so.

While we often overlook teams like the Celtics who are old, it's important to realize that athleticism doesn't always win in the playoffs, since these games are traditionally more about success in the half court.

Experience is another important factor that cannot be looked in the playoffs. Having a team full of guys who have ascended to the top of the NBA mountain as champions before is very valuable.

Let's look at three dark-horse title contenders this season.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics are probably making their final run towards a championship with their current "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

Allen and Garnett are free agents at the end of the season and there's a chance that neither will return to Boston for next year.

The Celtics are an old team but they have several positives heading into the playoffs that make them a very dangerous team for anyone to defeat in a seven-game series.

Rajon Rondo is the NBA's best pure point guard, and led the NBA in triple doubles and assists. He is also the best one-on-one defender in basketball at the point guard position.

Kevin Garnett is playing much better in April this year than he was last year. His scoring, assists and blocks averages were better than last season and the knee injury that has bothered him since 2009 isn't as bad as it's been over the past few seasons.

The Celtics have a ton of championship experience and have one of the three best coaches in the NBA in Doc Rivers.

Like they've been since their 2007-08 championship, Boston is an elite defensive team and gave up the second fewest points per game this season.

With their experience and strong defense, the Celtics will be a difficult out in the playoffs.

New York Knicks

The Knicks have played much better since Mike Woodson took over as head coach following Mike D'Antoni's resignation.

The Knicks still have one of the best scorers in the league in Carmelo Anthony, and have a tremendous frontcourt led by star big men Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.

With Woodson at the helm, the Knicks have become a better defensive team, and on the season they finished 11th in points allowed.

New York can make the NBA Finals if they defend well, especially in the paint. Center Tyson Chandler will have to blocks shots and rebound well inside for the Knicks to upset the Miami Heat in Round 1 and make a deep playoff run.

Chandler was brought in as a high-priced free agent in the offseason to provide the team with defense and championship experience.

With a very talented frontcourt and a healthy Jeremy Lin at point guard, the Knicks could surprise a lot of people. They made the Finals as a No. 8 seed in 1999, and could go on a similar run this season. 

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies almost upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round last year after defeating No. 1 seed San Antonio in Round 1, and will be equally as dangerous this season.

With Rudy Gay healthy after missing the playoffs last year due to injury, the Grizzlies will be a better scoring team this season.

Memphis' frontcourt is very strong with Marc Gasol at center and power forward Zach Randolph playing well at both ends of the floor. Randolph was a major force in the playoffs last season and is starting to get healthy right in time for the postseason.

The Grizzlies also have a versatile and balanced backcourt, with scorers such as OJ Mayo and Mike Conley, while Tony Allen provides exceptional defense against opposing team's best perimeter scorers.

With a complete roster that's hungrier to get further in the playoffs than last season, the Grizzlies will be a very difficult opponent for everyone in the Western Conference.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow @NicholasGoss35