(photo courtesy ESPN.com)This could turn out to be the best Finals series in a long time. You have Dwight Howard vs. the LA front line- how will they matchup? Can Rashard Lewis slow Pau Gasol in the post? Kobe/Pietrus...tradition (LA: 30 Finals appearances) vs. young blood (just 1 for Magic)...The Zen Master vs. the Master of Panic
Just as Orlando presented numerous problems for the Cavs, they will do the same to the Lakers. Howard, who dominated in the paint during the regular season, should have his way inside. LA, especially with Bynum struggling, have no one who can match his size and strength. This we know.
What we don't know is how the Lakers will play Lewis and how the Magic will play Kobe. I assume we will be seeing a great deal of Lamar Odom to combat Orlando's big perimeter forwards and I can see Hedo really struggling against an improving Trevor Ariza. Kobe, just as LeBron did, should have no problem scoring this series.
Many critics are pointing to the Magic's 2-0 record vs. the Lakers in the regular season. Where normally this is a good predictor of future success, the Magic were led in both games by Jameer Nelson, who is out. In both games, the Lakers controlled the games until the final moments when Nelson was able to exploit Derek Fisher. Skip 2 My Lou is no Nelson. Here are the highlights from their regular season meetings:
(thanks to lalousse24 and kier0018)
I think the homecourt advantage is going to end up being the deciding factor the the Lakers. A lot of skeptics point out the purple and gold have lost 6 games so far in the playoffs; yet, they fail to point out that this Laker team hasn't lost two games in a row not only in the playoffs, but dating back into the regular season. They are too talented to be beat multiple times by the same opponent. With the 2-3-2 format, it makes it very hard for Orlando to win. There is no way they will beat the Lakers three games in a row at home; hell, it's almost impossible to beat them twice in a row.
I see the Lakers winning this series in 6 or 7. Expect more previews on the Finals in the upcoming days. This was just a taste...
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