Now that all of Denver has taken almost a week to decompress, it’s time to get back into NBA mode, if only to root against the hated Lakers. Los Angeles is making its 30th trip to the NBA Finals, facing an upstart Magic squad that must be feared after knocking off the defending champion, Boston, and the”anointed” champion, Cleveland. The breakdown:
Guards
The Magic backcourt will be bolstered if Jameer Nelson is healthy enough to see spot duty. Nelson has missed the entire playoffs. But the Magic does have a capable point guard in Rafer Alston. Of course, the Lakers have the best guard of this millennium, Kobe Bryant, who is playing at an elite level, as the Nuggets discovered. One X-factor in this series could be Mickael Pietrus, the Magic reserve who played well defensively against Cleveland in the conference finals, as well as making some huge shots. He could log some minutes against Bryant. Lakers point guard Derek Fisher has struggled throughout the postseason.
Forwards
The Magic have one of the more mouth-watering forward combos in the NBA with Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, two big-time shooting threats from long range who torched Cleveland. Each can change the course of the game with a 3-ball. But so can Trevor Ariza, as the Nuggets found out. Ariza is the Lakers’ X-factor in this series, a tough defender who can hit the open jumper. Lamar Odom is still battling a back injury, but the Lakers reserve emerged as a force in the final two games against Denver and the Nuggets had no answer.
Centers
Orlando’s Dwight Howard is the best center in the Eastern Conference, and his dominance will be tested against the Lakers’ low-post tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Gasol, who starts at forward and can shift to the post, played well against the Nuggets, averaging 17.5 points and 12.3 rebounds, but Bynum was inconsistent and often in foul trouble. He averaged just 3.3 rebounds vs. Denver. He needs to do better if L.A. is going to win the rebounding battle.
Coaches
On Wednesday in L.A., Magic coach Stan Van Gundy pointed out that Lakers coach Phil Jackson “has won more playoff series than I have playoff games.” Jackson is the Zen master with nine rings. But last season in the Finals, it could be argued that Boston’s Doc Rivers, in his first Finals, did a better job. Denver’s George Karl has often complimented Van Gundy’s work in the postseason.
Season matchup
* Dec. 20 at Orlando: Magic 106, Lakers 103 – The Magic’s statement win. It overcame 41 points from Bryant. Howard made 8-of-11 fourth-quarter free throws and Nelson scored 27.
* Jan. 16 at Los Angeles: Magic 109, Lakers 106 – Orlando won thanks to Howard’s 25 rebounds and 20 points. Bryant had a triple-double. The Magic swept the season series for the first time in franchise history.
Hochman’s pick
Lakers in six.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
