The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs have developed a lengthy playoff rivalry over the years, but circumstances in their series this year are slightly different than in the past.
NBA Playoffs 2013, Lakers vs. Spurs Game 1: Game time, TV schedule and more
The Lakers try to pull an improbable upset minus the face of their franchise.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The teams play Game 1 of their series at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC, with the No. 2 seed Spurs as the heavy favorites. The Lakers are entering the first round of the playoffs in the unfamiliar territory of being underdogs and playing without their franchise player Kobe Bryant, who will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon.
The Spurs have injury concerns of their own. Guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both missed significant time down the stretch with injuries and forward Boris Diaw is out. Tim Duncan will try to slow down the Los Angeles frontcourt duo of Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard, who both played well late in the season after finally getting healthy.
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas.
TV: ABC
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