Lakers and Warriors on Brink...For Different Reasons

by Jon Greene

During a late NBA regular season contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center, one could not have imagined the scenario that has now played out in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Lakers are one loss away from going home for the summer; while the Warriors need only one victory to knock off the number one seed Dallas Mavericks in possibly the biggest series upset in league history.

The Lakers play the Suns tonight in Phoenix trailing the series 3-1. Tomorrow in the Bay Area, Golden State will host Dallas in game six, after failing to close out the Mavericks last night in Texas. The Warriors had a nine point lead with three minutes remaining, but then the Mavericks went on a 15-0 run to win the game.

NCS PHOTO: Lakers star Kobe Bryant raises his game against the Warriors at the Staples Center.