NBA betting players are still gung ho on the Los Angeles Lakers to defend their championship, but they’ve had the benefit of an easy schedule over the first half of the season, and now they have some injury concerns as they head into the All-Star break.

Kobe Bryant has been saddled with a broken finger and back spasms, but it’s an ankle injury that is keeping the former MVP and Olympian out of the lineup. Bryant’s left ankle was already sore before Lamar Odom stepped on it in a 99-97 win over Charlotte last Wednesday, a win that gave Phil Jackson the lead for most wins by a Laker coach. Bryant still scored 33 points in a loss in Denver, but then sat out wins over Portland and San Antonio. Andrew Bynum is also on the injured list with a bruised hip, and if the Lakers have their way, both of their starters will sit out until after the All-Star break. The Lakers will head to Utah on Wednesday night, and while Bynum is unlikely to play, Bryant said he will be a gametime decision. This is where Jackson has to pull rank and order Bryant to sit, as well as passing on the All-Star game (or at least play minimal minutes). The Lakers have a hard road to go until they get to the playoffs, as 17 of their last 28 games will be on the road, and while some point to a more balanced offense and more passing when Bryant is out, the Lakers are only 19-23 without their leader since 2003-04, and it’s an understatement to say that their NBA odds stand a better chance with Bryant in the lineup.