Verbal Kamasutra

The NBA's version of the Final Four is finally set with Orlando and L.A. dusting off their respective opponents in dominant Game 7 performances this past weekend. Game 1 vs. Denver is tonight at Staples Center, giving us a short turnaround to discuss potential series story lines. Here's the low low in La La land:

• How will the Lakers respond in Game 1? Houston came out swinging in the opening game of last series, but I think having no layoff favors the Lakers this time around. Denver has been resting for almost a week and I believe they will come out sluggish.

• All four potential Lakers home games have start times of either 6:00pm or 5:30pm, instead of the usual 7:30pm tip. While I don't think this will affect the Lakers much, I do think it will make an impact on the Laker faithful. Let's be honest, L.A. fans aren't exactly the Megan Fox of sports fans. Combine that with rush hour traffic and
  

• Will there be any lingering emotions surrounding Kenyon Martin's spat with Mavs owner Mark Cuban? Granted Staples Center represents a classier fan base than the Dallas crowd, but all it takes is one drunk fan to call Kenyon (or his mama) a thug or worse and dude might flip out and charge the stands. Can you say Artest Fest II? Best case scenario, Sasha Vujacic winds up with a broken nose and ruptured spleen.

6:00pm tip time, and you've got a recipe for disaster. OK, maybe not disaster, but it could alter the energy in the building.