The Los Angeles Lakers had to deal with a long, drawn-out, seven game series in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. They couldn't close out the Denver Nuggets in Game 5, got blown out in Game 6, before managing to hold on and survive Game 7.
The return of Metta World Peace from his suspension made a huge difference in the outcome of Game 7. But World Peace will probably have to deal with one hostile crowd in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals when he faces the man he viciously elbowed to get suspended in the first place in James Harden. The Oklahoma City Thunder had a relatively painless four-game sweep of the defending champions, and they are in a real good position to try and take advantage of the deeply fatigued Lakers.
Here is the time and TV info for Monday's game.
Game Time: 6:30 PM PDT, 9:30 PM EDT
Television: TNT
SB Nation Team Sites: Silver Screen and Roll (Lakers), and Welcome To Loud City (Thunder)
Check out the SB Nation Los Angeles storystream below for any further updates on the series.