NBA Playoffs 2012: Power Rankings after the Game 1’s

Soobum Im-US PRESSWIRE

Now that every playoff team has played a game, we can all re-predict what is going to happen. The game always changes once the playoffs start and that has certainly been evident so far.

There haven’t been a ton of surprises so far but I think my mind may have changed on a few of the series.

Here are my current Playoff Power Rankings.

1. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs looked the best to end the regular season and looked the best in their Game 1 win over the Utah Jazz. They should easily win this series and they’ve yet to show a reason to bet against them.

2. Miami Heat

The Heat dominated the Knicks in Game 1 which came as somewhat of a surprise. The East just got much easier for them and as long as no one gets injured, they should cruise to the Eastern Conference Finals.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1 was a test for them and they passed. They’ll get better as this series goes on and that’ll be a good thing for them in the long run. They’re a better team than they were last year.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Their win over the Nuggets was impressive and the all-around play of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol is what’s going to take them far in the playoffs this year.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

Sure, they blew Game 1 but they looked amazing before the fourth quarter. That had a lot to do with shooting so well from three but it was a weird game too leading by so much, so early on. I think they get their act together in Game 2 and show us why they’re contenders this year.

6. Los Angeles Clippers

The comeback was impressive and this team has talent. Chris Paul can win them a few games but I don’t think it’ll be enough to get by Memphis. But if they do they might be poised to make a run to the West Finals.

7. Atlanta Hawks

With the Bulls losing Derrick Rose and a possible Rajon Rondo suspension looming, the Hawks jump to the second best team in the East. As the four seed they have a solid chance now of making it to the East Finals.

8. Dallas Mavericks

They looked like the defending champs in Game 1. The only problem is they have to play the Thunder now. If they can play the entire series like they did the first game they will have a very good chance of pulling off the upset.

9. Boston Celtics

Rondo may miss Game 2 and the Celtics may go down 0-2 but this team isn’t scared of that. If Rondo and Ray Allen return for a Game 3 in Boston, they could turn this series around and win it.

10. Chicago Bulls

With the Rose injury, they lose any title hopes they had coming into these playoffs. They are still a very good team without Rose. They just don’t have any chance of winning it all now. So sad.

11. Indiana Pacers

They were supposed to sweep the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic in round one and instead blow the first game at home. This team is good but has issues. We can’t take them serious until they win a game in this series.

12. New York Knicks

Game 1 was embarrassing but all they need to do is win one in Miami. They have a chance tonight and definitely didn’t get the best performance from Carmelo Anthony in the first game.

13. Philadelphia 76ers

With Rose injured the door is suddenly open for the 76ers to comeback in this series. I just don’t think they do.

14. Denver Nuggets

They should have looked a little better in Game 1. We saw why they aren’t to be taken seriously. The Lakers are just too big for them.

15. Orlando Magic

That was a great rallying victory in Game 1 but let’s be serious here. They aren’t go anywhere without Dwight.

16. Utah Jazz

The Spurs are just too good.