NBA Playoffs 2012 Power Rankings: Where Each Team Stands in Postseason Thus Far
The NBA is knee-deep in playoff basketball, a reality that has benefited some teams more than others.
After only a handful games, the true postseason picture is beginning to take shape.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the driver's seat while New York Knicks are hanging on for dear life, and the Los Angeles Lakers are carrying a chip on their shoulder as the Chicago Bulls, once again, prepare for life without Derrick Rose.
With more than half of the league's franchises seeing the light of the playoffs, there is still a wealth of separation yet to occur.
16. New York Knicks
1 of 16Postseason Record: 0-2
Injuries and deficient officiating be damned, even the Dwight Howard-less Magic could have put up a better showing against the Heat than the Knicks did in Game 1.
As far as Game 2, the same anger that caused Amar'e Stoudemire to punch the casing of a fire extinguisher should have been put forth on the court.
The fact is, the Knicks are trailing perhaps the most talented team in the league. And while their first two performances are not indicative of their true potential, they are a wake-up call.
You simply cannot expect to beat a team like the Heat by saving your passion for the locker room.
End of story.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
2 of 16Postseason Record: 0-1
Though the Sixers lost by just 12 in Game 1, the final deficit did not tell the full story of how out of reach this game was for them.
Philadelphia converted on just one three-pointer all game and shot under 40 percent from the field.
The Sixers caught a break when Derrick Rose was shut down for the rest of the year with a torn ACL, but their hopes of coming out on top in this series are still slim to none.
14. Utah Jazz
3 of 16Postseason Record: 0-1
The Jazz simply appear outmatched against the Spurs.
Utah was unable to find an answer for Tony Parker or Tim Duncan in Game 1, and looked flustered against San Antonio's defense, committing 16 turnovers.
While Utah clearly has an advantage against an undersized San Antonio, the lack of playoff experience on its roster has already put the team in an early hole.
The Jazz are now 1-4 against the Spurs this season and after only one game, the hope for an upset is waning.
13. Denver Nuggets
4 of 16Postseason Record: 0-1
The Nuggets were unable to overcome a dismal first quarter on Sunday, allowing the Lakers to cruise to an early series lead.
Denver shot just 35 percent from the field to Los Angeles' 50 percent in Game 1, and were absolutely manhandled by Andrew Bynum, who had an NBA playoff record-tying 10 blocks.
The Nuggets' starting five combined for just 46 points on a night where both Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo couldn't buy a basket and the team as a whole struggled from beyond the arc.
Heading into the postseason, Denver was a team with hopes of becoming this year's Cinderella story. Now, such an aspiration already appears out of reach.
12. Orlando Magic
5 of 16Postseason Record: 1-1
The Magic's opening victory over the Pacers was undoubtedly impressive, but Orlando came back down to earth in Game 2.
Indiana outplayed Orlando in nearly every facet of the game, holding them to 35 percent shooting while finishing plus-eight on the boards and forcing 16 turnovers.
Without Dwight Howard as an anchor in the middle, the Magic simply don't stand a chance at coming out of the first round.
11. Indiana Pacers
6 of 16Postseason Record: 1-1
Despite evening the series at one game apiece on Monday night, the Pacers have been underwhelming thus far.
Indiana went scoreless in the final four minutes of Game 1, allowing the Magic to battle back from a seven-point deficit with little resistance. The 15-point victory on Monday night, while impressive, has not yet eclipsed that from memory.
Normally, heading into someone else's house tied at one game apiece wouldn't be considered a victory, but luckily for the Pacers, they have the luxury of being pitted against the Magic.
10. Boston Celtics
7 of 16Postseason Record: 0-1
The Celtics came into Game 1 against the Hawks with limitless expectations, but left it more vulnerable than ever.
Boston shot just 39 percent from the field and failed to recover from a 13-point first quarter deficit.
Rajon Rondo, once again, was the Celtics' most consistent weapon, but got himself ejected, and subsequently suspended, following an unwarranted bump of referee Marc Davis.
While Boston is far from finished in this series, the absence of Ray Allen—and now, Rondo—certainly isn't helping the team's championship cause.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
8 of 16Postseason Record: 0-1
Credit the Grizzlies with building a 27-point lead over the Clippers, but knock them down from their pedestal for blowing it.
The Grizzlies were outscored by the Clippers 35-13 in the fourth quarter of Game 1, an embarrassing figure for a team with as much depth as they have.
After a late-season surge that saw Memphis claim home-court advantage in the first round, Marc Gasol and company seemed poised for another string of postseason success.
If Game 1 was any indication of what's to come, the Grizzlies were best served as the underdog, not the favorite.
8. Atlanta Hawks
9 of 16Postseason Record: 1-0
Though the Hawks came out on top of the Celtics in Game 1 and will face a Rajon Rondo-less club in Game 2, there is still much to be desired from Atlanta.
The Hawks were underwhelming in their 83-74 victory Sunday night, shooting a shade over 40 percent and once again becoming a benefactor of missed opportunities on the part of their opponent.
Should the Hawks take a two-game lead in to Boston, though, their chances at advancing increase substantially.
That said, their penchant for inconsistency will leave many still favoring the Celtics.
7. Dallas Mavericks
10 of 16Postseason Record: 0-2
Despite losing their first two playoff games, it's clear the Mavericks are taking the defense of their NBA title seriously.
The Thunder are an extremely talented team, but Dallas has lost by a combined four points in the first two contests.
While there is no such thing as a moral victory in the NBA, the Mavericks have to feel at least somewhat good about themselves as they head back to Dallas.
A comeback against an opponent like Oklahoma City seems unlikely, but it is far from out of the question.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
11 of 16Postseason Record: 1-0
The Clippers exuded superior levels of resiliency in their come-from-behind victory over the Grizzlies Sunday night, but the fact that they found themselves down 27 to begin with is cause for concern.
Los Angeles as been as enigmatic a team as we have seen all season, and it's clear there is plenty to still figure out in Tinseltown.
Despite a massive collapse, Memphis is not a team to be taken lightly and still pose a serious test for the now Caron Butler-less Clippers.
Los Angeles' performance in Game 2 will serve as a telltale sign of which direction the team is headed for the rest of the postseason.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
12 of 16Postseason Record: 2-0
The Thunder have jumped out to a two-games-to-none lead over the Mavericks, but it very easily could be the other way around.
Oklahoma City hardly appears genuinely interested until crunch time, and while the team has pulled out two straight victories at home to open the series, advancing through the first round is hardly a guarantee.
Kevin Durant and company have a lot to be thankful for heading into Game 3, but they must ensure they don't remain complacent for most of the game if they wish to put Dallas away for good.
4. Chicago Bulls
13 of 16Postseason Record: 1-0
Despite a near wire-to-wire victory over the Sixers and posting an 18-9 regular season record without Derrick Rose, the Bulls suddenly seem overly vulnerable.
Chicago's performance against Philadelphia was nothing short of magnificent, but without Rose, it's almost impossible to believe that they will surpass teams like the Heat, Thunder, Spurs or Lakers.
While it's a strong possibility the Bulls continue their march into the Eastern Conference Finals, it appears, just like last year, that their postseason run will end there.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 16Postseason Record: 1-0
After Sunday's romping of the Nuggets, the Lakers seem poised to leave their postseason woes from last year behind them.
Los Angeles was genuinely dominant in Game 1, shooting 50 percent from the field, blocking 15 shots—10 by the monster that is Andrew Bynum—and outmanning Denver on the glass.
Behind Kobe Bryant's 31 points and Bynum's triple-double, the Lakers jumped out to an early series lead that they have no intention of relinquishing.
2. San Antonio Spurs
15 of 16Postseason Record: 1-0
Fully aware of their postseason collapse a year ago, the Spurs wasted no time in putting any remaining doubters to rest.
Tony Parker torched Utah's defense, San Antonio held its own on the boards against a much bigger lineup and the Spurs, as a whole, had one of their most efficient outings of the season.
While there's still a plethora of postseason basketball to played, it's more than safe to acknowledge that the Spurs aren't headed for an exit anytime soon.
1. Miami Heat
16 of 16Postseason Record: 2-0
The Heat have won each of their two first-round games against the Knicks by double-digit margins and hardly appear as though they will take their foot off the gas.
New York, listless or not, is a formidable opponent, but Miami is making quick work of its superstar-laden counterpart.
LeBron James is at the top of his game, Dwyane Wade has looked unstoppable and even Chris Bosh played like a stud in Game 2.
Barring any major injuries, the Heat seem poised, once again, to tear through the Eastern Conference with minimal resistance.
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