Lakers v. Jazz Preview

By Cortez Strickland

KEY MATCHUPS: Lakers G Kobe Bryant, who has reportedly earned his first league MVP award, better be prepared to face as many as three different defenders. While Bryant is best known for his ability to light up the scoreboard, his all-around skills might fit best in this series. ... G Deron Williams and F Carlos Boozer cannot take a game off or it could be over rather quickly. With Williams and Boozer running the pick-and-roll, the Jazz force matchup problems for Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson. ... Lakers C Pau Gasol's length in the post provides difficulties if Boozer gets into early foul trouble.

PIVOTAL PLAYERS: C Mehmet Okur has to knock down shots if the Jazz are going to make it back to the Western Conference finals. His ability to shoot opens things up for penetration by Williams. ... Lakers F Lamar Odom should have his hands full with the power of Boozer, who averaged a double-double with 21.1 points and 10.4 boards. While Boozer presents a challenge in the paint, Odom's versatile skills give him an edge off the pick-and-roll. ... Jazz F Andrei Kirilenko and G Ronnie Brewer both will be counted on to try to slow the offensive attack of Bryant.

SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: Los Angeles stopped Utah's 19-game home winning streak with a 106-95 decision on March 20. The Jazz owned the best home record in the league during the regular season at 37-4. ... The Lakers went 3-1 in the season series against the Jazz. ... Utah is 6-6 all-time in the conference semifinals. ... The teams have met twice in the conference semifinals with each team advancing once. They also faced off in the 1998 Western Conference finals with Utah sweeping Los Angeles en route to its second straight trip to the NBA Finals. ... The Jazz have yet to play the Lakers with Gasol in the lineup.

PREDICTION: In what could be a long series, Bryant gives the Lakers an advantage at crunch time that the Jazz cannot match. Williams and Boozer should keep things even for the most part, but Jackson has too many weapons to throw into the mix.

LAKERS IN SIX.