Lakers vs. Spurs Series Preview

By Ed Kacik
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

KEY MATCHUPS: Lakers' G Kobe Bryant appears determined to return to the NBA Finals and his play has reflected his desire. The league MVP is averaging 33 points, six rebounds and nearly seven assists per game in the playoffs. Spurs' F Bruce Bowen, widely considered one of the best defenders in the league, will have the tall task of limiting perhaps the NBA's most prolific scorer. ... Spurs' G Tony Parker, the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, has been highly effective during the playoffs with his constant ability to drive to the lane and convert layups. G Derek Fisher should make things more difficult for Parker with his veteran savvy and strong one-on-one defensive presence. Fisher also knows that keeping the talented point guard on the perimeter is key.

PIVOTAL PLAYERS: Spurs' F Tim Duncan was limited to just over 15 points per game during the Western Conference semifinals as he struggled against the younger and more athletic front-court of the New Orleans Hornets. However, Duncan should see his production rise when he matches up against Lakers' F Vladimir Radmonovic, whose strength is away from the basket as opposed to the low-post. ... Lakers' C Pau Gasol gives Bryant a superstar to defer too, but more importantly he provides Los Angeles with a consistent low-post presence. Gasol averaged 18.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in the conference semifinals and could be even better against centers Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas. ... San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich inserted G Manu Ginobili - the NBA Sixth Man award winner - in the starting lineup during the conference semifinals to keep up with the Hornets speed and athleticism. Ginobili will play a crucial role again in this series whether he starts or comes off the bench.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: "The Western Conference this year is just truly unbelievable. I know there's been a lot of talk about the home court record in the conference semifinals and the home teams having so much success. You're talking about the best teams in basketball facing each other. ... The Spurs are the defending champs and until they're done, everything goes through them." - Fisher

SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: The Lakers and Spurs split the four-game regular season series with both teams failing to win on the road. ... Los Angeles and San Antonio have met nine times in the playoffs with the Lakers holding a 6-3 advantage in series victories. ... After falling behind, two-games-to-none, in the 2004 conference semifinals, the Lakers rallied for four straight victories to oust the Spurs before falling in the NBA Finals. ... San Antonio eliminated Los Angeles in six games during the 2003 conference semifinals en route to their first of three titles over the next five seasons.

PREDICTION: The Spurs proved that playoff experience and veteran leadership is just as important as speed and athleticism during their seven-game series victory over the Hornets. After dropping the first two games on the road, San Antonio rallied behind Duncan, Ginobili and Parker, ending the series with a decisive Game Seven victory in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Lakers continued their strong play against the Utah Jazz, but stumbled at times during the series. Los Angeles let a 12-point lead slip away in the closing minutes of Game Four, losing in overtime despite 33 points from Bryant, who battled back spasms the entire game. Bryant had 34 points in Game Three, but the Lakers also suffered a loss in that contest, as no other player scored more than 13 points. Bryant is talented enough to win games single-handedly, but against a team as deep and consistent as the Spurs, the Lakers need their role players to step up, which hasn't happened often enough this season.

SPURS IN SIX.