NBA Betting Odds: Lakers Again Being Pushed In Western Conference

The Los Angeles have many things working against them this year as the playoffs began. The team has been to two straight NBA Finals, causing a natural fatigue factor this year. They also have an ailing superstar in Kobe Bryant, who, to his credit, has played through several injuries that may have shut other players down.

Given those two factors, the Lakers knew they were in for a tough grind this season. A return trip to the NBA Finals would take every ounce of energy and focus the team could muster. In the first round, L.A. is also learning that other teams have improved in the last year.

When the Lakers struggled down the stretch many analysts felt that they were simply conserving energy for the playoffs. After two games at home, it seemed as if that was the case. Now, however, L.A. has lost two games in a row on the road in Oklahoma City, and suddenly a date with Denver or Utah in the second round is no lock.

The Lakers will face the Thunder tonight in game five of the series, and, considering how the Lakers have played on the road in the series, game five looks like a must win. This is not the first time Los Angeles has been pushed in a seven game series.

Last year in the second round, Houston, a team playing without their top two players, made a similar push. The Lakers were in the same position in that series, tied 2-2, going back home. They won games five and seven of that series, and went on to win the title.

This year is different. This is a Thunder team that has one of the top five players in the game in Kevin Durant. They also have won fifty games in the regular season, showing that the playoff run is no fluke. If the Lakers are going to overcome Bryant's injuries and their fatigue, they will have to win tonight. If not, it could be the end of the road for the two-time Western Conference champs.

April 27, 2010
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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