NBA Playoffs 10: Lakers Will Go to Their 3rd Straight Finals Appearance

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the playoffs with high hopes but were eventually shocked with the surprising Oklahoma City Thunder, who seriously came out of no where!

But with the heroics of Pau Gasol in the closing seconds of a crucial Game 6, L.A. advanced to the second round of the playoffs as they face the Utah Jazz.

In my opinion, I don't think the Lakers have really that much to worry about with Utah.

Kobe Bryant will be the difference in this game and will make Utah look like they got hit by a train they didn't see coming!

Though Andrew Bynum won't be playing with his injury, the Lakers have a chance still. Utah already has their share of injuries with Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko, which is a worse situation than what L.A. has.

Utah is not even a big team and the only guy they have to get the boards is Carlos Boozer. Gasol will help get the boards with is tall stature. The Lakers will advance here.

And the Spurs or Suns in the conference finals? Oh, please. Spurs can create the most competition out of any other team in the Western Conference, but I think the Lakers can slip by in my opinion.

The Suns? Lakers in six. Lakers can make a three-peat and I think the Cavs-Lakers Finals may actually be destined.

Lakers in a three-peat to the Finals is a big possibility.

But can they win?