The Lakers open their second round NBA playoff series with Game 1 Monday night against the Mavericks in a familiar position: at home. Since acquiring Pau Gasol in February 2008, the Lakers have made four playoff runs. They have played 13 playoff series, and have have had home court advantage in 12 of them. The only time the Lakers didn't have home court advantage was the only series these Kobe Bryant & Gasol Lakers have ever lost, the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Lakers were the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in each of the last three seasons, and are No. 2 this season. However, with San Antonio's stunning first-round exit, the Lakers are once again in the familiar spot of being the top remaining seed in the west. The Lakers faltered in Game 1 of their last series, against New Orleans, but recovered quickly to regain their advantage and take the series in six games. Here is a look at how the Lakers have fared in Game 1 of their last 12 playoff series opened at home:
| Lakers With Home Court Advantage 2008-2011 | ||||
| Year | Round | Opponent | Game 1 | Series |
| 2011 | 1st | New Orleans | L, 109-100 | W, 4-2 |
| 2010 | NBA Finals | Boston | W, 102-89 | W, 4-3 |
| 2010 | Conf Finals |
Phoenix | W, 128-107 | W, 4-2 |
| 2010 | 2nd | Utah | W, 104-99 | W, 4-0 |
| 2010 | 1st | Oklahoma City | W, 87-79 | W, 4-2 |
| 2009 | NBA Finals |
Orlando | W, 100-75 | W, 4-1 |
| 2009 | Conf Finals |
Denver | W, 105-103 | W, 4-2 |
| 2009 | 2nd | Houston | L, 100-92 | W, 4-3 |
| 2009 | 1st |
Utah | W, 113-100 | W, 4-1 |
| 2008 | Conf Finals |
San Antonio | W, 89-85 | W, 4-1 |
| 2008 | 2nd | Utah | W, 109-98 | W, 4-2 |
| 2008 | 1st | Denver | W, 128-114 | W, 4-0 |
The Lakers are 10-2 in Games 1 over the last four seasons, winning by a shade over eight points per contest on average. Outside of the 2008 Boston Celtics, who were 66-16, this Dallas team, at 57-25, has the best record of any Laker playoff opponent of the Kobe/Gasol era.
For more news on this second-round matchup, be sure to stay tuned to this story stream at SB Nation Los Angeles. For more NBA playoff coverage, check out SB Nation's playoff bracket and schedule. For more news and information on the Lakers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.