L.A. Lakers Playoffs Schedule 2012: Odds and Predictions for First-Round Series

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in an unfamiliar place as the playoffs begin. Instead of being viewed as the Western Conference favorites, they are a virtual afterthought. The rising Oklahoma City Thunder and savvy San Antonio Spurs are garnering the attention.

After winning back-to-back championships, the Lakers were eliminated in the second round last season by the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks. They are once again a strong contender, as Kobe Bryant seeks his sixth title.

Even though the Metta World Peace controversy has caused a ruckus, it shouldn't have a major impact on the team's chances of advancing. They have enough veteran leadership to put the incident behind them in time for Game 1.

With that in mind, here's a preview of the Lakers' first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.

Superstars Who Must Shine

Kobe Bryant

As long as he's on the roster, Bryant will be the Lakers' go-to guy. Despite battling several nagging injuries throughout the shortened season, he averaged 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. His shooting percentages did take a hit, though.

Bryant is the team's only reliable perimeter scorer. So, if the Lakers have any chance of making a run toward the Finals, he'll have to show off some vintage form. He's made a career out of rising to the occasion, and the pressure remains on him in his 16th season.

Andrew Bynum

Bynum has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in the season's second half. Whether it's getting benched for shooting a three or concerns about his attitude, he just hasn't been able to stay out of the spotlight.

That said, he's actually enjoying the best season of his career. He's posted career highs in points and rebounds while keeping a respective block average. On most nights, the former first-round pick has been a dominant force in the paint, and that will need to continue for the Lakers to advance.

Pau Gasol

Give credit to Gasol for having a solid season throughout the turmoil. Whether it was Bynum's emergence taking touches away from him in the paint or the constant trade rumors that swirled around him before the deadline, he didn't blink and kept helping Los Angeles win.

Having two post players who can take control of the game gives the Lakers a distinct advantage over most teams. Exploiting that edge will be the biggest key, not only in the opening round, but moving forward as well.

Role Player Who Must Emerge

Ramon Sessions

The Lakers knew they had to make a trade after watching Derek Fisher struggle his way through the first couple. They brought in Sessions to fill the void at point guard, and the results have been mixed so far, but certainly an upgrade.

He won't be asked to do much. As long as he limits his turnovers and runs the offense efficiently, Los Angeles will be in good shape. That's easier said than done, of course, but it's the only reason the Lakers brought him in. He has to deliver.

The first game of the series will be key. Sessions hasn't played in the playoffs before, so there will be plenty of jitters before the opening tip. He needs to settle in quickly because the last thing the Lakers want to do is fall behind early and play catch up all series long.

Strategies to Watch

Offensive Strategy

The Lakers offense runs through Bryant. After jacking up about 23 shots per game during the regular season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see that number increase in the postseason. And when it comes to crunch time, you know he'll have the ball.

Bynum and Gasol are the secondary scorers. Bynum needs to get a lot of easy points from offensive rebounds, while Gasol must stretch the defense with his mid-range game. If they both accomplish those tasks, Los Angeles will thrive.

Defensive Strategy

The best word to describe the Lakers defense would be streaky. Sometimes they are a formidable group on that end of the floor, and other times, like against the Spurs late in the regular season, they couldn't get a stop.

More often than not it comes down to the team's effort level. They have more than enough talent at every position to shut down opponents, and the playoff atmosphere should bring the best out of them. The biggest concern will be Sessions against the opposing point guard.

First-Round Odds and Prediction

When the Lakers play their best basketball, they are still a serious threat to make it out of the Western Conference no matter what the talking heads on television say. They have three legitimate scoring options and finished the season strong.

Bryant will be a man on a mission as he attempts to prove the doubters wrong en route to another ring. As long as his body holds up, which isn't a guarantee anymore, the Lakers can never be counted out. They are the higher seed against the Nuggets, so the pressure will be on.

I expect a really good series with each team gaining a minor edge before the Lakers eventually finish strong and close it out in six.

Prediction: Lakers in six games

Odds: 70 percent chance of Lakers advancing

Full First-Round Schedule

Game 1: Sunday, April 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC (Home)

Game 2: Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT (Home)

Game 3: Friday, May 4 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Away)

Game 4: Sunday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT (Away)

Game 5: Tuesday, May 8 with time and date TBD if necessary (Home)

Game 6: Thursday, May 10 with time and date TBD if necessary (Away)

Game 7: Saturday, May 12 with time and date TBD if necessary (Home)