Los Angeles has emerged as one of the biggest threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. Those two teams split a back-to-back in Oklahoma City on April 6 and 8, with the Lakers handing the Thunder their worst loss of the season in the first game (126-99).

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning the playoffs, not knowing if LeBron James is up to speed. But they are trying to quell concerns by getting their fans psyched up for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.