2012 NBA Playoffs: Players That Will Lead a Comeback

Three teams find themselves down 3-2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Climbing out of a 3-2 hole is never an easy task. To do it, you must have players that are willing to step up and make a name for themselves in the playoffs.

These three players will be huge in their team's bid to stage a comeback in their series and advance to the second round.

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

After last night's win over the Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks were able to extend the series to at least Game 6. Trailing the Celtics 3-2, the Hawks now must find a way to rally to win the last two games of the series if they want to advance to play the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls series.

Horford will play a pivotal role in how these next two games play out. Horford, who missed four months with a shoulder injury, is the true X-factor when it comes to the Hawks.

Josh Smith is playing at an extremely high level right now at the power forward position, but he can't carry the team on his own. When Horford is playing well, as he did last night when he posted 19 points and 11 rebounds, things really open up for Smith.

The Celtics' biggest weakness is that they don't have much depth in the post. When Horford doesn't log big minutes or just doesn't play well, the Celtics can comfortably play Kevin Garnett at center. Horford forces the Celtics to play big and causes matchup problems for the Celtics.

Horford has single-handedly changed the outlook of this series going to Atlanta for Game 6.

Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls

Without Derrick Rose, the No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls have looked disenfranchised and looked as if the 76ers would easily beat them. However, after last night's 77-69 win, the Bulls have new life.

It wasn't pretty, but the Bulls showed that they can battle through adversity and that's exactly what they'll have to do to complete this comeback in seven games. For the Bulls to do that they need to, look for Boozer to get them there.

In Rose's absence, the Bulls lack a true facilitator at the point guard position. With Boozer's passing ability from the post, they need to run the offense through him.

In Chicago's Game 5 victory, Boozer not only led the way in rebounding with 13, he also had got his teammates involved with six assists. Boozer is a highly skilled big man with a nice contract to go along with it. He'll earn his paycheck by salvaging some of this season with a playoff series win over the 76ers.

Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets' Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in L.A. was absolutely huge. The Lakers ruined a perfectly good chance to put the Nuggets away and get some rest headed into the second round.

Now they face a Game 6 in Denver and a comeback bid that could get very interesting. Andre Miller has been huge for the Nuggets and gives them a huge advantage throughout the rest of the series. While the Lakers have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, they don't have a lot of depth.

Miller's presence off the bench as Ty Lawson's backup has been big for the Nuggets as they get solid play and leadership out of the veteran point guard. Meanwhile, the Lakers bench is led by Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, who have struggled.

The Nuggets will need Miller to continue to play big off the bench in order to send Kobe home in the first round for the second straight season.