In the blink of an eye, a postseason favorite can be sent home and left wondering what went wrong. Just ask the Chicago Bulls.
With the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs nearing it's close, the original favorites are beginning to look human and the playing field is becoming rather leveled. As a result of this, the teams we expect to win big may not last as long we may expected.
A collective thank you to the annual Dark Horse.
Just as there is in every sport's postseason, the NBA has quite a few teams set to crash the party. Under-the-radar teams who could, potentially, emerge as their conference's champions.
Here are the teams to watch.
Indiana Pacers
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Previous Series: 4-1 vs. Orlando Magic
Current Series: 0-0 vs. Miami Heat
In the opening round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers drew one hell of a fight with the Orlando Magic. Evidence of such was a Game 1 loss in which the Magic stormed back in the final five minutes, led by Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson, to pull out an 81-77 victory. In Indiana.
And the Pacers weren't phased.
In the following four games, the Indiana Pacers displayed resiliency. Unlike the majority of the NBA, Indiana has shown the capability to maintain a lead in the fourth quarter by putting on some of the best defensive performances of the postseason.
While many will jump to Dwight Howard's absence, it must be noted that the Orlando Magic made the most three-pointers in the NBA this season. Howard, meanwhile, has hit one in his entire careerâ€"all the way back in 2007.
Against the Pacers, however, the Magic hit 1.8 less than they did in the regular season and no one was able to find a consistent rhythm. Smothering perimeter defense and dominant interior play was the main reason why.
Most Improved Player of the Year Ryan Anderson shot 34 percent from the floor and averaged 9.6 points per game, down from 16.1 on 44 percent shooting in the regular season. Evidence enough?
Expect Danny Granger, Paul George and David West to shoot much better in Round 2 as, arguably, the deepest team in the NBA gives the Miami Heat a run for their money. Let's just hope the referees are the ones fired up by Frank Vogel's flopping statements...
VegasInsider.com Odds:Â 25/1
Columnist Odds: 25/1
Los Angeles Clippers
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Current Series: Tied 3-3 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Potential Series: vs. San Antonio Spurs
Should the Los Angeles Clippers win a deciding Game 7 against the Memphis Grizzlies, it's hard to imagine their confidence dropping. Considering they have Chris Paul as their starting point guard, it's also hard to imagine their level of play hitting any sort of decline.
Chris Paul matches up well with Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and has a distinct advantage over Ramon Sessions of the cross-city Lakers. He also has an advantage over Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder in terms of fundamentals and point guard play.
And as we all know, CP3 could be enough to win any series.
There's no denying how difficult a potential match-up with the Thunder will be, as both James Harden and Kevin Durant have favorable positional match-ups. What must be remembered, however, is that the Clippers took the season series by a count of three games to one.
And only one game was decided by single-digits.
With Chris Paul running the point, Nick Young coming into his own, Blake Griffin finally becoming versatile and DeAndre Jordan blocking shots with the best of them, this starting lineup is to be feared. With Caron Butler injured, however, the odds may be against them.
But who would be ignorant enough to count out Chris Paul?
VegasInsider.com Odds: 40/1
Columnist Odds: 20/1
Memphis Grizzlies
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Current Series: Tied 3-3 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Potential Series: vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Memphis Grizzlies had an uphill battle as they scrambled for a comeback victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. Upon bringing the series to a decisive Game 7 at home, it's clear that there is no team in the NBA that can truly refer to themselves as the favorite versus the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.
Against the San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies have proven capable of pulling off a postseason series victory. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Grizzlies are well-rounded and front-court heavy enough to keep games close. Matched up with the Nuggets, there may not be a better team to counter their every move.
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder specifically, the Memphis Grizzlies match up perfectly. Mike Conley Jr. against Russell Westbrook, O.J. Mayo against James Harden and Rudy Gay against Kevin Durant all present close enough oppositions that the rest of team will be able to decide the outcome of a game.
With Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol having a slight advantage over Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins, this series becomes split down the middle.
In other words, Memphis can beat anyone.
VegasInsider.com Odds:Â 40/1
Columnist Odds: 15/1
Philadelphia 76ers
Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Previous Series: Won 4-2 vs. Chicago Bulls
Current Series: vs. Boston Celtics
This won't be a popular selection, but think about the road that Philadelphia is set to embark on.
Against the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to take two of the three meetings during the regular season. Their average margin of victory was 22.5 points. Against the Indiana Pacers, the teams split the season series two games a piece
It also must be stated that the Philadelphia 76ers were the third-ranked scoring defense in the NBA. They were one of three teams to allow less than 90 points per game, letting up just 89.4 each evening. The issue with the Sixers, however, was that they couldn't score the ball too well as the season progressed.
Furthermore, how can one expect the 76ers to shoot 40.7 percent for another series? Considering the team shot 45 percent during the regular season, it's simple: one can't.
While their victory over the Chicago Bulls was less than inspiring, their depth and defensive prowess match up well against both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. Here's hoping that they don't run into Miami...
Vegas Odds:Â 50/1
Columnist Odds: 40/1
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