Lakers-Jazz: Kobe Bryant to Face Off with Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer

The second round for the Lakers will start this Sunday. The last two seasons around this time Kobe Bryant would have been on the gym practicing for next season after getting bumped out of the first round back-to-back by the Phoenix Suns.

Kobe Bryant is practicing with his team because their little break is coming to an end. After sweeping the Nuggets on the first round, The Lakers will have a more formidable foe in the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers will have the home advantage for the first two games. This is really important when facing a team that's great at home (37-4) and that's has problems on the road (17-24).

But the Lakers are going to need more than home-court advantage to beat this team. If Kobe Bryant and company want to win this series, they must work hard and play smart.

Jerry Sloan wants his team to beat the Lakers at least one of the first games. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are going to be real threat for the Lakers.

One of the important matchups is at the point guard position. Deron Williams and Derek Fisher are both strong players. They played together back in Utah so they know each other, but the main factor is the talent.

Williams closed the series against the Houston Rockets in Game Six. In the third quarter, Williams scored 13 of his 25 points. He also sank four in a row from three-point land.

This is going to be a very physical and emotional series. Both teams have shown some kind of grudge ever since the Utah Jazz fans booed Derek Fisher after leaving the Jazz for the Lakers, but more importantly for the health of his daughter.

Kobe called this event "rude" and it did feel like it was taken personally. In their last two meetings of the regular season, Kobe scored 31 and 27 points.

The Lakers have to be physical against this Utah team. Lamar Odom is going to be one the key factors going against Boozer. Odom needs to set up people with assists and to be physical when defending Boozer.

Then, you have Gasol and Okur, the big man matchup. Both men can shoot the ball; Gasol can hit from mid-range, while Okur has the spot-up three-pointer.

Gasol needs to post up Okur on the paint and using his moves and his hands to beat the slower man.

Finally, the key factor is Kobe Bryant. Who's going to guard him? The answer is...a lot of people. Expect Kirilenko, Brewer, and maybe even Harpring to switch up.

AK47 against KB24 seems like the "best" match-up. Andre Kirilenko has those long arms and it can interfere with Kobe's shot. He's also a strong player who can make assists and get rebounds.

If this happens, Kobe is either going to be aggressive and attack the rim or draw the double team and then set people up for assists.

I think Lakers vs. Jazz is a great matchup. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are bringing the old one-two punch with the smart, unselfish point guard, and the big forward that can shoot, put it down and pass it. It reminds you of the Stockton-Malone days.

On the other hand, you have the strong Laker team, which is rested, confident and talented. I give it to the Lakers in six games or maybe seven.

When it comes to the end, I expect Kobe to have big games. Last year, he was practicing for next season, and now we're seeing the results.