NBA Draft 2012: Highlighting 3 Lottery Teams That Will Make the '12-13 Playoffs

Two teams—the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz—made the playoffs in 2011-12 after taking part in the 2011 NBA draft lottery.

The Clippers' pick was dealt long before the draft lottery to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who ended up taking Kyrie Irving at No. 1 overall. The Jazz choose twice in the first round. 

After Wednesday's NBA draft lottery, it appears as if there could be a handful of teams that follow the Clips and Jazz and make the jump from lottery to playoffs next season. 

Below, we break down the three teams with the best chance to go from ping-pong balls to the postseason in 2012-13. 

Portland Trail Blazers (28-38 record; picks at No. 6, 11 in first-round)

The Blazers won just 28 games in 2011-12, but this isn't a roster that is deeply flawed or needs a significant turnover. In fact, a couple of free agents—Portland could have nearly $24 million in cap room—in addition to the two first-round picks at No. 6 and 11 should be enough for the Blazers to contend again for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

Portland had made the playoffs in four straight years before last season's bump in the road, which now has the Blazers without a head coach or general manager.

Two positions appear to be priorities for the Blazers this offseason: point guard and center. Re-signing the emerging Nicholas Batum is also something Portland wants to accomplish this season, and there's no reason currently to think that the restricted free agent is planning on bolting. 

If the the Blazers can lock up Batum and a couple of mid-level free agents, plus hit on their two first-rounders, this should be a roster ready to get back to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. 

Houston Rockets (34-32; No. 14, 16)

The Rockets will pick at No. 14 for the third consecutive season, which shows how close this team is to putting together a postseason qualifier. Playing next month's draft smartly could be the push this team needs to put together a playoff roster.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are likely to be movers on draft day. 

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With Donatas Motiejunas expected to join the Rockets next season and Marcus Morris expected to play a greater role, the team is likely to seek trades — either to move up in the draft order or to save a pick for another season — rather than bring in two more middle-of-the-pack first-round picks.

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If Houston can move up to snag one of the top-10 players in the draft, the Rockets may have enough to finally crack a playoff spot. Players that are likely to be had in latter portion of the top 10 include Harrison Barnes (UNC), Perry Jones (Baylor) and Jared Sullinger (Ohio State).

The pickings get much slimmer at No. 14 and 16 in terms of finding a player that will play a big role for the Rockets next season. 

Milwaukee Bucks (31-35; No. 12)

The Bucks may not be line for a franchise-altering player at No. 12 overall—the position they were slotted at before the lottery—but there's not much separating the Bucks and the final couple of spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Topping the Bucks' wish list at No. 12 will almost certainly be a big man who can play at the 4 or 5. Milwaukee dealt former starting center Andrew Bogut to the Golden State Warriors last season for Monta Ellis, a move that solidified the scoring at guard but opened up the Bucks in the middle. 

If GM John Hammond can fix that hole, Milwaukee could certainly compete for the No. 8 spot in the East. Players that fit the mold and could be available at No. 12 include Tyler Zeller (UNC) and Sullinger (Ohio State), among others.