The two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers are ready to embark on yet another title defense in the Western Conference playoffs and despite many people doubting this team coming into this postseason, Kobe Bryant and company will be ready to defend their title and will do everything within their power to send head coach Phil Jackson off with a record 12^th NBA title and fourth three-peat.

Obviously, the playoffs is familiar territory for the Los Angeles Lakers as they have made it to the NBA Finals three years running, but they will definitely have their work cut out for them once again this season against teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

Fortunately, in the first round of the playoffs, the two-time defending champs will have perhaps the easiest path the second round as they will face off against All-Star point guard Chris Paul and a banged up New Orleans Hornets squad.

A few years ago, the New Orleans Hornets were without a doubt one of the best young teams in the league with NBA title aspirations, but over the past couple of seasons they have really started to struggle and seem to be a shell of their former selves.

Not only will the Hornets be outmatched at every single position on the floor against the Lakers, with the exception at point guard, New Orleans will be without one of their best players in forward David West. A few weeks ago, the Hornets announced that the West would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and now this team has lost a vital piece to the puzzle and will almost certainly fall the defending champs in the first round.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers advance in five games 4-1

For the best odds on this NBA Playoffs Matchup, check out these two top rated online sportsbooks:

DSI Sportsbook:
Spread: New Orleans Hornets +10 & Los Angeles Lakers -10
Moneyline: New Orleans Hornets +555 & Los Angeles Lakers -705
Over/Under: New Orleans Hornets 110 Los Angeles Lakers 110 under (182.5)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: New Orleans Hornets +10 & Los Angeles Lakers -10
Moneyline: New Orleans Hornets +555 & Los Angeles Lakers -705
Over/Under: New Orleans Hornets 110 Los Angeles Lakers 110 under (182.5)

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