NBA Playoffs 2012: Clippers and Teams Still in Contention

It's not over unless you're down 3-0.

Then it's pretty much over.

But for those teams down 2-1, or those deadlocked at 1-1 but devoid of any momentum, there's still a chance, as Lloyd Christmas would say.

Here are the teams that still have a shot at the second round of the NBA playoffs, despite the current complexions of their series.

Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies
Series: Tied, 1-1

They nearly lost Game 1 and did lose Game 2, but the Clippers won't let this postseason go Memphis' way. The fifth seed in the West had to rally from a 27-point deficit for a 99-98 victory in Game 1, marking one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history.

That's how the Clippers know they can't be counted out in this series, and that knowledge is crucial.

Chris Paul told the Associated Press that the Clippers' disturbing habit of getting "killed" in the first three quarters only to come charging back in the fourth isn't breaking news to him, and while it's something this team has to grow out of against the fourth-seeded Grizzlies, at least they know they have it in them. 

LA took two of three from the Grizzlies in the season series, and they have what it takes to win pressure games. Now, they just have to shake out the kinks and make it happen.

To say the Grizzlies suffered a defensive lapse at the end of Game 1 would be a gross understatement. Given the fact that they're supposed to have a top-five defense, their ineptitude in the fourth quarter of that game is a glaring warning sign. 

Boston Celtics
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Series: Tied, 1-1

The Celtics did exactly what they needed to do on Tuesday: Take away the Hawks' home-court advantage without the help of Rajon Rondo. Rondo exiled himself from Game 2 when he made the critical error of bumping a ref in Game 1.

And like he tends to do when Boston badly needs a win and has nowhere else to turn, Paul Pierce completely took over, scoring 36 points and helping the Celtics to erase Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half. Pierce single-handedly outscored the Hawks in the final 15:08 of the game.

Now, the Celtics head back to the TD Garden, where they'll not only get Rondo back—they might get Ray Allen back, too, to give them one more knockdown shooter and some much-needed depth. There's no promise that Allen will return, but he told CelticsTown.com on Thursday that he felt good practicing and has "a lot of basketball" in him.

Even if they don't get Allen back, the Celtics proved in Game 2 that, age aside, they can beat the Hawks, on the road, without their best unit on the floor.

Philadlephia 76ers           
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Series: Tied, 1-1

Just kidding. Even without Derrick Rose, the Sixers have no shot in this series. 

When Rose went down with a torn ACL with just over a minute left in a Game 1 win, all of the air went out of the United Center—and the Sixers preyed on the Bulls' lack of momentum to get a 109-92 Game 2 win on the road. 

It's hard to believe that the Bulls are so deflated that they can't muster a series win over the lowly, eighth-seeded 76ers. After all, they did have to learn to win without Rose for most of the second half of the season, and that's when the Bulls' bench truly established itself as the best in the NBA.