Los Angeles Sports

• May 8, 2008 5:34 pm US/Pacific
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  Now On KCAL: Lakers Trail Late In 4th Qtr.

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Now On KCAL: Lakers Trail Late In 4th Qtr.

 SLIDESHOW: Game 2 Vs. Jazz

 SLIDESHOW: Game 1 Vs. Jazz

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― I'm not ready to predict the Lakers are going to win the NBA title, or even make it to the finals, but you can make a strong case that they are now the favorite to do both.

I do a lot of work nationally for ESPN, and the impression I get from a lot of the people in Bristol is that the Lakers aren't necessarily a great team, just a hot team.  But I would argue that those things go together.  It's often the hot team that wins the title. 

In a current ESPN Sportsnation Poll, one of the questions asks simply:  "Which team will win the NBA Title?"  It's close, but with just over 66,000 responses cast,  the Lakers are the leader with over 29% of the vote.  

Consider that:

--The Lakers have won 14 of their last 15 games.

--They're the only undefeated team in the playoffs.

--They're the only team to score more than 100 points in each game.

--They lead all playoff teams in assists, points scored, margin of victory, and shooting percentage (49%).  They are second only to New Orleans in three-point percentage (43%).

--Individually, Kobe Bryant is the leading scorer in the playoffs.  Derek Fisher is leading the playoffs in steals.  Pau Gasol is third in blocked shots.  Lamar Odom is averaging a double-double in the playoffs, has yet to attempt a three-pointer (which is good), and is now shooting 46% from the field in the post season.

If you're still not convinced that the Lakers are the team to beat, consider that they have the best coach, the best player, are now the hottest team, and have home court advantage against every team except Boston or Detroit.  Boston looks shaky after going seven games against Atlanta (and almost losing game one to Cleveland), while Detroit's floor leader is now out with an injury.  Any rational person would have to say that the Lakers have the edge in these playoffs, both on and off the court.

Just don't tell the Lakers....I don't want to jinx it. 

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)