Despite the injuries and inconsistencies, that have plagued the Los Angeles Lakers this season, they are still the sport betting favorite to make it to the NBA Finals this season. Superstar Kobe Bryant and starting center Andrew Bynum have both spent time on the bench leading in to their opening round series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but that didn't make the Lakers look any less explosive when those two made their appearances in a Game One 87-79 win. Bynum and Pau Gasol both posted double-doubles in that win, and were able to control play in the post.

This is the same team that won the NBA championship odds series only one year ago, and since then, has actually improved. No matter how banged up Bryant is, its still Kobe that will have the ball in his hand with the game on the line, and there is no player in the league that is better with the ball in his hands in pressure situations than the man wearing number 24 for the purple and gold. Coach Phil Jackson has done this dance so many times he has all the steps memorized already, and will now how to handle the playing time of his stars, and when to go to his bench to ensure the Lakers are healthy as they go deeper in to the Northbet.com betting playoffs. That will make Los Angeles hit their peak right when it matters the most, which is why they will represent the Western conference once again in this year's finals.