2012 NBA Playoff Predictions: Dirk Nowitzki and Stars Who Will Fail in Round 1

The 2012 NBA playoffs are off and running, and after only two days, we've been treated to some great moments already.

Yet as the first round progresses, we will get a clearer picture of who will advance through Round 1.

Here's a look at a few NBA stars who will ultimately fail in the first round of the playoffs.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

There's no doubt the Mavericks will fight and compete in this series against Oklahoma City, but despite Nowitzki playing a big part in Dallas holding a fourth-quarter lead on Saturday, his six turnovers (including a couple costly late ones) also played a big role in the Thunder getting back into the game.

Kevin Durant eventually made Dallas pay, and the Mavericks let the Thunder up off the ground, which is something they couldn't afford to do.

Dallas will battle and compete, but ultimately Nowitzki and company will fall short.

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Anthony lit things up in April, averaging close to 30.0 PPG, but once the playoffs began for the Knicks on Saturday, Anthony came up lame with only an 11-point effort in a 33-point blowout loss.

While it is only one loss in the series, the Knicks are very banged up, and Anthony is going to have to do his best Superman impersonation to carry the Knicks to a series victory.

Even if he can put the team on his back, it may not be enough.

Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

Stoudemire was very ineffective in Game 1 with only nine points and five rebounds, but forget about the stats for a minute.

The disturbing part for Knicks fans should be that Anthony and Stoudemire still haven't proven they can be productive together against good teams, and that could lead to plenty of offseason questions.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

After dropping Game 1 to the Hawks and facing a potential suspension for All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo in Game 2, the Celtics could dig themselves into a hole that they can't climb out of.

Garnett was big in Game 1 with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but Pierce was held almost silent with only 12 points.

If Boston falls behind 0-2 and the Celtics veterans can't put this team on their backs for the remainder of the series, it could be a quick postseason stay.

Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic

Orlando got a lift in Game 1 against the Pacers, not only by having Turkoglu back in the lineup, but by Glen Davis posting a 16-point, 13-rebound effort against Roy Hibbert.

Davis likely won't be able to do his Dwight Howard imitation every game, and Turkoglu didn't look great in Game 1, going only 3-of-10 from the floor.

Ultimately, Turkoglu won't have enough in the tank to carry the Magic to a Round 1 upset.