The team that eliminated Tinseltown from the playoffs the last couple of years returns to Los Angeles at probably the right time.

Why? Well, in case you have not been watching the 2007-08 NBA basketball season lately, the Los Angeles Lakers are enjoying ‘’team spirit'’ (how about that huh?..) for a change with players OTHER THAN Kobe stepping up.

The biggest step was the one probably taken by the young Los Angeles Lakers center, Andrew Bynum, quickly becoming one of the major contributors in Phil Jackson’s intricate triangle offense.

Now that the guy’s out for at least eight weeks due to an injured left knee, all that momentum the Lakers had in piloting to a 26-11 mark in the West should go down the drain now right? Um… Not quite. Bynum’s injury simply means that Tinseltown is bringing back the ‘’Kobe Bryant show.'’

Against the Seattle SuperSonics last Monday night, it was all Kobe alright.

Kobe Bryant scored 48 points in a 123-121 overtime win over Seattle at the Key Arena. Tied 121-121 with 4.3 seconds left in overtime, Kobe came up with an 18-footer to give Los Angeles the win from what should’ve been an easy one for Tinseltown.

I guess without Andrew Bynum, Kobe has to do a lot of scoring again.

Ronny Turiaf (of all people…) led the rest of the Lakers except for Kobe of course with 14 points. Kobe’s suppose-to-be right-hand guy? Lamar Odom only scored six. He he…

The Lakers’ win gave them the lead in the Pacific division of the Western conference, something that the Lakers share with the visiting Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

If the Lakers are really for real this season, a win over Phoenix on Thursday will prove just that.

Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.

San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350

Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300

Boston Celtics EVEN +450

Detroit Pistons EVEN +1,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns