Can the Los Angeles Lakers survive the Phoenix Suns again in Game 4 of their first round series?

I guess the Lakers need Kobe to score 45 points to beat Phoenix.

Well, if that is the case, then I guess Tinseltown's win in Game 3 was indeed a fluke. Hell, the Lakers are lucky if Kobe Bryant can at least still see open looks at the basket in Game 4.

Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for them Lakers. What I'm trying to stress here is the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers can't win THIS WAY, especially when you're playing a team like Phoenix. Heck, even more if it's a NBA playoff game.

After a horrendous start, the Lakers, behind Kobe Bryant's 45 points, rallied to beat the Phoenix Suns 95-89 Thursday night at Staples Center and regain solid footing in their opening-round playoff series.

A loss would have put the Lakers in a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series, a deficit from which no team has ever come back. Well, Kobe made sure that it won't happen on that night. He just refused to lose this game, hell, he did score 45 after all.

But you see, the Lakers can't just let Kobe do the scoring for them. As balanced as the Detroit Pistons are during the last couple of days, the Lakers have become polar opposites. One man can be stopped easier than five guys scoring a night. If the Phoenix Suns begin to clamp down on Kobe in Game 4, I guess there goes the season for Los Angeles eh?

Of course, knowing Phil Jackson's competitive drive, the Lakers head coach definitely can't have that.

This guy has one of the most intricate offensive sets there is in basketball and unfortunately, the Lakers STILL can't seem to know how to take advantage of it. One way or another, the Lakers NEED solid second, third, fourth scorers in Game 4. Otherwise, they will be looking at a 3-1 deficit with the series heading back to the desert.

Can the Los Angeles Lakers even the series against the Phoenix Suns at 2-2 in Game 4? Who will win the 2007 NBA Championship? Here are some odds from Bodog:

Chicago Bulls 7/1

Detroit Pistons 9/1

Dallas Mavericks 7/2

Miami Heat 4/1 (boo!)

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

2007 NBA Playoffs Los Angeles Lakers