Lakers-Magic: NBA Finals Preview

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Power Forward: Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, Lakers v. Rashard Lewis, Magic

Much like the shooting guard situation with the Magic, Lamar Odom could start at the 4-spot and then Gasol would move to the 5-spot.

Lewis is Orlando's forgotten man, but the Magic would be forgotten without him.  He has caught fire in the playoffs— 19.4 ppg, 40 percent shooting from deep and 44 percent total shooting) and has the best offensive low-post game on the team.

Although he is a matchup problem for 99 percent percent of the teams in the league, the Lakers are in the 1 percent and Lakers coach Phil Jackson has no problem flipping starting lineups if he feels it betters his team.While I am not convinced Gasol can or will guard Dwight Howard, he cannot guard Lewis. But Odom can.

Odom is Lewis, just a couple years older and not as consistent of a shooter. Odom does have a low-post game that is hard to stop and he is a lefty, which is always tricky.  Odom is a better rebounder than Lewis (9.5 rpg vs. Lewis' 6.1 rpg) and Odom, when on and busting his butt, is the difference on this team.

This matchup comes down to Odom deciding how hard he wants to play.  While Lewis has scored 14 or more points in every playoff game, Odom has only done it six times.  But the Laker's are 5-1 in those six games.  So if Odom plays like this is his last chance at a title, the matchup goes to the Lakers, but I am not sure he will.

Advantage: Gasol and Odom—when Odom plays well, the Lakers win.

Center: Pau Gasol, Lakers v. Dwight Howard, Magic

Can anyone say polar opposites? Gasol is finesse and Howard is strength.  Gasol is crafty while Howard is a better athlete. Gasol can hit from 17 feet, Howard will hit you with an elbow—and then get suspended for it. Gasol is soft on defense, and Howard is the Defensive Player of the Year.

Howard averaged 5.33 fouls a game against the Cavs (we'll call that the LeBron Effect), and fouled out in half of the six games. Howard will be able to keep his counterpart in check by holding his ground, but he can get into foul trouble when flying to the rescue of weak defense.

While Gasol is never considered the defensive power that Howard is, it is interesting that in the playoffs, Gasol is averaging 2 blocks a game and Howard 2.2, but Howard out-rebounds Gasol 15.4 to 11.3.

Gasol has been tougher in the Lakers last two games, but he will be outworked and physically outmatched against Howard.

Advantage: Howard—Gasol can't stop Howard, but Gasol will be productive and make Howard guard him.

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