NBA Playoffs 2012: Ranking Biggest X-Factors on Remaining Teams

In the crucial territory that is the second round of the NBA playoffs, the various strengths and armor-chinks that persist amongst its remaining teams becomes ever more prevalent. A proving ground by nature, the playoffs provide a sink-or-swim ultimatum to the teams lucky enough to inhabit it, forcing them to eradicate their potential faults or be dragged down by them in the end. 

With seven remaining teams left in the 2012 postseason, all still with the chance to ascend to the top spot of the association, deciphering what exactly will come to define their success or failure becomes a difficult, yet interesting prospect. We here at Bleacher Report have done our best to highlight where each team must succeed if they hope to find themselves hosting the Larry O' Brien trophy this June.

Philadelphia 76ers: Bench Play

If the Sixers hope to continue surprising fans and media with their play this postseason, stellar production from the bench will be imperative to their success. 

What Philadelphia lacks in true star-power, they make for in depth and consistency throughout their rotation. While the Sixers are only +2 point differential when running their starting five, contributors like Lou Williams(+27) and LaVoy Allen(+23) provide a significant boost as secondary options. If Philadelphia wants to knock off an aging Boston team, having strong production from their reserves will be especially important. 

Boston Celtics: Rebounding and Second Chance Points

When evaluating the key factors to Boston's successes and failures this postseason, none are more apparent than rebounding.

In the 10 playoff games they've played thus far this year, the Celtics are 5-0 when winning the rebounding battle, and 1-4 when on the losing side of the differential. In the game 4 loss, they were out-rebounded 52-38, and that total becomes even more troubling when dissecting it further. Philadelphia overpowered Boston on the offensive glass, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds to Boston's 5. The second chances that arose from this lopsided stat column were enough to swing game 4 in Philadelphia's favor, and if the Celtics want to avoid a second-round exit they will need to reverse this trend the rest of the series.

Los Angeles Lakers: Crunch-Time Defense

Although much fuss has been made Kobe's Bryant's late game performance (or lack thereof), the Lakers struggles can be traced to their play on the other side of the ball during crunch-time. 

During the regular season and first round, the Lakers maintained one of the most dominant late-game defenses in the league, ranking in the top 5 in several close-game statistical categories. However, in their series against the Thunder, this final-minutes dominance hasn't been present. In the Lakers' game 2 loss, they allowed 9 points within the final two minutes and fumbled away a victory. In the last eight minutes of game 4, LA allowed 25 points and again gave away a late lead to OKC. If the Lakers have any chance at turning the series around, executing defensively during crunch-time will be a must.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Keeping Turnovers down

The Thunder's explosive style of play normally warrants itself a good amount of mistakes, but OKC's success this postseason has been surprisingly devoid of costly decisions.

The Thunder lead the NBA in turnovers in 2012, averaging 16 per game during the regular season. However, coach Scott Brooks' squad has seemed to have eradicated this tendency for turnovers in time for the playoffs, and now leads all postseason teams, averaging only 10.5 turnovers during the postseason. With OKC now in good position to advance to the next round, keeping down their amount of mistakes will be imperative to succeeding in the next round. 

Miami Heat: Solid Play from Udonis Haslem

Chris Bosh's injury and subsequent "indefinite" absence from the Heat has severely changed the anatomy of the Pacers-Heat second round matchup, making Udonis Haslem an unlikely key to the Heat's future this postseason.

With Bosh gone, Haslem inherits the role of neutralizing the defensively-dominant Hibbert, and will look to do so by stretching the big man's defensive area outside the post. Haslem showed he was up to the task in game 4, hitting several key jumpers down the stretch, providing important secondary scoring as well as freeing up both Wade and James' driving lanes. While the Heat's last victory may have hinged on the stupendous play of the big-3 remainder, Haslem's understated impact will be important to a potential Miami victory in the series.

Indiana Pacers: Rebounding and Smart Play from Hibbert

An emerging talent that has slowly gained profile throughout the 2012 season, Roy Hibbert, will be an important hinge to a potential Indiana upset as the series continues.

In the Pacers' dominant performance in Game 3, Hibbert was the driving force on both sides of the ball, providing 19 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in the win.  Game 4's loss saw a significant drop in his production partially due to foul trouble, highlighting the big man's impact when on the the court for Indiana. If the Pacers are to have a chance to take down the Heat, it will rest upon Hibbert's ability to dominate the boards while avoiding self-elimination due to foul trouble. 

San Antonio Spurs: Success from Behind the Arc

The only team left in the postseason currently breathing easy, the Spurs so far spotless run through the playoffs relies partially upon their impressive precision from outside.

In San Antonio's rather-speedy first two series, they have shot an outstanding .423 from the 3-point line, good enough to rank first among remaining playoff teams, a full six percentage points ahead of 2nd place OKC. The Spurs dangerous deep shooting ability not only provides obvious scoring advantages, but also stretches the floor, freeing up space for Tim Duncan to cause trouble in the low post. If the Spurs are to continue their remarkably efficient run through the 2012 playoffs, maintaining their consistency from the behind the arc will be very important.