Game 1: 7 p.m., tonight, at Los Angeles, TNT
No. 1 Lakers, 57-25, first in the Pacific Division
No. 3 Suns, 54-28, second in the Pacific Division
Player to watch.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum led his team in rebounding in regular-season games against the Suns, but the big guy is dealing with a painful torn meniscus in his right knee.
Interesting factoid.
The Suns averaged a league-best 110.2 points during the regular season but just 103.2 in games against the Lakers; Phoenix lost three of the four games.
Bottom line:
Fireworks have already begun in this star-studded matchup, thanks to Lakers coach Phil Jackson accusing Steve Nash of carrying the ball, and Nash conveniently calling the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich the best coach in the NBA (and not Jackson, the 10-time champion). The Suns, with their constant pick-and-rolls and timely 3-point shooting, are a frightening matchup, but the Lakers have the look of a champion — with the ultimate closer in the bullpen.
The Post’s pick: Lakers in seven
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
