vs.
.Point Guards: Rafer Alston vs. Derek Fisher
Rafer Alston has done an adequate job filling in for Jameer Nelson since he went down injured in February. While Nelson will be activated for the series, Alston is still the starter and must run the offense efficiently as well as knock down open shots. Fisher has struggled mightily this postseason and has yet to find his shooting touch. He is a proven Finals veteran, but if he continues to struggle, Shannon Brown or Jordan Farmar could take minutes from him.
Slight Edge: Magic
Shooting Guards: Courtney Lee vs. Kobe Bryant
The rookie Lee has been solid since joining the starting lineup for Orlando (averaging 8.8 PPG in playoffs), and must continue to play well, shooting the ball and running in transition. Kobe has been Kobe, putting the Lakers on his back down the stretch in games and willing them to victory. He will be a matchup nightmare for Magic, as no Orlando player has the length and quickness to stay with him.
Edge: Lakers
Small Forwards: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Trevor Ariza
Turkoglu has been up and down throughout these playoffs with his shooting, but has continued to make plays for Orlando with his pinpoint passing. He is their clutchest player and will have to be big if the game is close down the stretch. Trevor Ariza fits the mold of a role player, with his energy and slashing ability to the basket, along with some three-point range and solid defense. He must harness this energy and make it positive to help his team.
Edge: Magic
Power Forwards: Rashard Lewis vs. Pau Gasol
This is the most strange matchup since neither player would guard the other in crunchtime due to their different types of skills. Lewis is a great three-point shooter that can be a game changer if he's on. But he is not very strong and if he is guarding any Laker big man, he could be exploited. Gasol is a great low post presence who needs to have a dominant Finals (unlike last year) to take some of the load off of Kobe. He is a good help defender if needed, but is not very quick and could not guard someone like Lewis.
Edge: Lakers
Centers: Dwight Howard vs. Andrew Bynum
Dwight 'Superman' Howard is key for the Magic. The offense of the team runs through his ability to dominate the paint, which opens up three-pointers for his teammates. Defensively, he was the Defensive Player of the Year for his ability to change shots with his wingspan. Bynum, coming back from injury is still not 100% and has struggled mightily at times. He won't be asked to play a lot of minutes, but when he's in there, he must contain Howard and not let him completely take over the game.
Edge: Magic
Sixth Men: Lamar Odom vs. Mickael Pietrus
Odom will be the first one off the bench for L.A. (probably for both teams), but he has been wildly inconsistent so far in these playoffs. He brings another low post scoring option, and can be a beast on the boards. Usually if he plays well, the Lakers win. The veteran Pietrus has been great backing up the rookie Lee, and does a lot of little things well, utilizing his speed and quickness.
Edge: Lakers
Coaches: Stan Van Gundy vs. Phil Jackson
Stan Van Gundy has done a great job with his team, bringing back the Finals for first time since 1995, Shaq's rookie year. While he is often painted as "the bad guy", he has gotten his team ready and motivated for every game. Phil Jackson is going for his record breaking 10th ring as a coach and is a hall of famer. The Lakers have failed to show up for a couple games, though, and it's on him to prepare them and keep them fired up.
Edge: Lakers
The Keys
It comes down to the role players for the Lakers stepping up. Kobe is the best closer in the game, but he can't do it alone (see LeBron and the Cavs for proof). For the Magic, Dwight Howard has to dominate inside and the Magic must knock down their open three-point shots if they get them. Also, they must make smart decisions with the basketball and not shoot themselves in the foot.
My prediction:
win series in six games, 4-2
Last round’s record: 0-2
Playoff record: 11-3
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