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 The Team I'll be covering during the NBA Beat Challenge is the Los Angeles Lakers, the only other team besides the Boston Celtics that I believe have a shot at the Championship.  LeBron probably won't carry the weight this year because of his back spasms, his last games haven't been his best.  The Detroit Pistons are one possibility in the NBA Finals.  

Now getting to the point, the first round match-up of the Los Angeles Lakers Versus the Denver Nuggets, playing at Los Angeles' Staples' Center. 

So here's my breakdown.

Why will the Lakers advance?

The Lakers, in my opinion of course, are going to advance because of their excellent offense.  Locking up the #1 spot in a VERY CROWDED Western Conference is definitely not easy.  New Orleans Hornets' held it for a while, but lost the top spot.  Now, the Denver Nuggets is an offense team, because of their big men.  Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby, who was the defensive player of the year 2006-2007.  The Nuggets also have 2 of the top scorers in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.  The Nuggets also have, who I believe deserves the Sixth Man award, J.R.Smith and also Eduardo Najera.  Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins, and all the stars on the Nuggets are sure to step up their game during this incredible first-round matchup.  On the other side, the Lakers have, the #1 player in the league now, so fast and lethal, Kobe Bryant, who is also the 2nd in the NBA in the category (points per game).  Andrew Bynum may be returning during the first round, that is not yet confirmed.  The Lakers mid-season acquired Pau Gasol will be a new gun for Kobe.  Derek Fisher will once again provide that stable hand and leadership that every team needs.  Sasha Vujacic will whip out the three-pointers and disappoint them, and Jordan Farmar too.  Lamar Odom will become aggressive (as if he already isn't) and grab 20 boards a game during the Playoffs.  Hahaha.  Radmonavic may even be a key player. 

If you watch NBA and watch it closely, The Lakers are not a defense team until, say 4:00 left in the fourth quarter, whether they are down or up, because they know that that's when their opponent will try to start making a run.  Denver on the other hand is a defense team, armed with a defense player of the year, along with a few all-stars, Denver will be one contender. 

 Stats for Both Team:All Key Players:

Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant: 28.3 point per game, 6.3 rebounds per game & 5.4 assists per game

Pau Gasol: 18.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game along with 3.4 assists per game 

Trevor Ariza :5.5 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game & 1.3 assists per game

Sasha Vujacic: 8.8 points per game,  2.10 rebounds per game & 1.0 assists per game  

Jordan Farmar: 9.2 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game & 2.7 assists per game

Luke Walton: 7.2 points per game, 3.9