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The playoffs are all about matchups and how you take advantage of them.
The Orlando Magic have taken this idea to a new level and ridden it all the way to the NBA Finals.
It's natural to look to the Finals and the matchups that will make or break a team's chance at winning a title.
Point Guard: Derek Fisher, Lakers v. Rafer Alston, Magic
I will ignore the fact the Hedo Turkoglu handles the ball about 70 percent of the time, especially after opponents' baskets.
The winner of this matchup will be determined by who shoots better and turns the ball over less.
Fisher is most effective as a spot-up shooter, but his shooting numbers late in the season and in the playoffs have been pretty poor. He has averaged 26.3 minutes a game has shot 12-for-51 from distance (23.5 percent) and 35-for-118 from the field for 35.6 percent for a total of 7.1 points a game.
Alston has been scoring more, 12.7 ppg in the playoffs, but is also more prone to turnovers, 1.78 a game. But his role is very similar to Fisher: "Make open shots."
Alston is winning the ultimate PG stat, assists per game: 4.4 to Fisher's 2.4.
Advantage: Alston—In the playoffs, Alston has scored in double figures five times as many games as Fisher has not. (Excluding Game Five of the Celtics series when he was suspend.)
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant, Lakers v. Courtney Lee, Magic
Look for a continuation of a Lee-Mickael Pietrus combo, but Bryant still tops their scoring totals 26.8 to 19.2. Pietrus has taken on the Bruce Bowen role for the Magic as a defensive specialist and a master of the corner three-pointer. Lee has a nice mid-range jumper and is more of a slasher than Pietrus.
And Kobe is Kobe.
Both Lee (6'5" and 200 lbs) and Pietrus (6'6" and 215 lbs) matchup well with Bryant (6'6" and 205).
Advantage: Kobe—It's Kobe.
Small Forward: Trevor Arzia, Lakers v. Hedo Turkoglu, Magic
Arzia is long and athletic enough to matchup and stay with Turkoglu. Turkoglu has issues with players that are quicker, not bigger. But Ariza has size (6'8") and speed to stay with Turkoglu from the perimeter to the post.
Turkoglu has been shot inconsistently in the playoffs, but he's always willing and able in the clutch. His scoring is down to 15.2 ppg from 16.8, but his assists are slightly higher.
In Orlando's closest games, the Magic look to Turkoglu to make their offense go.
Arzia is definitely not the first, second, or third option on offense for the Lakers, but he is averaging 11.4 ppg while shooting 50 percent from behind the arc.
Even though this matchup will be close, I think Turkoglu will find ways to get his numbers and be the go-to guy in the fourth quarter.
Advantage: Turkoglu—Too many ways to score.



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