Apr 17: In the first round of the 2010 Playoffs, the Lakers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who entered the postseason in the 8th place. But they are 8th just because they lost the tiebreaker with Portland and San Antonio who also got a 50-32 record.

Although the Lakers are the favorites in this series, they don't arrive in their best basketball moment, having lost 6 of their last 9 games. Also injuries are a big issue. Andrew Bynum still has to return after missing 13th straight games with a strained left Achilles' tendon, Kobe Bryant missed 4 of the last 5 games trying to nurse some of the many injuries he's had this season. Jordan Farmar is suppose to be ready for the opening game but Sasha Vujacic, the team's best shooter (who hasn't played much or mad many shots lately) is out at least for this series.

Still the Lakers have a very talented group, led offensively by Kobe and Pau Gasol, with Lamar Odom contributing his versatility, Derek Fisher his experience and Ron Artest as their defensive specialist. The Thunder are a young and good defensive team that have in Kevin Durant their most dangerous weapon. Durant has just became the youngest player to won the scoring title and will be chase all around by Artest who has in Durant his first opportunity to show why he was brought to L.A.