2012 NBA Playoff Schedule: No. 3 Seed Lakers To Host Dallas Or Denver Sunday

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 22: Kobe Bryant #24 and Kevin Ebanks #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on April 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 114-106 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Los Angels Lakers have claimed the three seed in the Western Conference playoffs, though will need one more game to decide their opponent.

With the regular season standing on it's last leg, the Los Angeles Lakers prepare themselves for the battle known as the second season in the NBA. Just who their opponent will be in the first round is yet to be determined, though either one of their possible foes is a formidable one in the Dallas Mavericks or the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets took out Oklahoma City last night, and if they do the same to Minnesota, they will take on the Lakers in the first round. If Dallas loses to Atlanta, the Nugs take on the Lakers as well. If Dallas beats Atlanta this evening and the Nugs lose, than the Mavericks are in the playoffs.

Lakers were 3-1 this against Denver, with their lone loss coming at the Pepsi Center, a game in which Kobe Bryant shot just 27.5 percent from the field. while were a perfect 4-0 against the defending champs down in Dallas.

Whomever they end up playing, they will be playing them come this Sunday, their first playoff appearance without Phil Jackson since the 2006-07 season.

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