(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks
Inside the Series
Season Series: LAL (2-1)
Scoring Leaders: Kobe Bryant (LAL): 25.3 PPG
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL): 23.0 PPG
Assist Leaders: Jason Kidd (DAL): 8.2 APG
Kobe Bryant (LAL): 4.7 APG
Rebounding Leaders: Pau Gasol (LAL): 10.2 RPG
Tyson Chandler (DAL): 9.4 RPG
Key Players
Dallas: C Tyson Chandler
Sure the Hornets gave the Lakers a little more trouble than expected. But did you see what happened in Game 6? Bynum and Gasol shot a combined 14-of-20 form the floor and took complete control down low. Chandler needs to be an intimidating presence for Dallas to keep them active on their low post defense as well as their rebounding game.
Los Angeles: G Kobe Bryant
It's an easy pick but stick with me here...Dallas does not have anyone on their roster that can be considered a stopper. There is no one that Dallas coach Rick Carlisle can put on the floor to effectively defend Kobe Bryant. So if Kobe can continue to overcome his ankle injury, he could average well over 25 points per game in this series.
Key Matchup
Pau Gasol vs. Dirk Nowitzki
There is no doubt that this is indeed the most important matchup of the series. Although both Gasol and Nowitzki are two of the best fowards in the NBA, they each bring about a different approach to the game. So can Pau be able to stretch out his game and guard Dirk around the perimeter? And can Dirk hold his ground and handle Gasol's skilled post game?
Prediction
Game 1: Dallas 89, Los Angeles 101
Game 2: Dallas 102, Los Angeles 106
Game 3: Los Angeles 97, Dallas 87
Game 4: Los Angeles 103, Dallas 109
Game 5: Dallas 94, Los Angeles 112
Los Angeles wins 4-1
Dallas is a legitimate contender but aren't even close to the Lakers. Again, Dallas lacks a defender that can slow down Kobe's game. So if you can't stop Kobe in he playoffs you'll be packing your bags and heading home.
Scoring Leaders: Kobe Bryant (LAL): 25.3 PPG
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL): 23.0 PPG
Assist Leaders: Jason Kidd (DAL): 8.2 APG
Kobe Bryant (LAL): 4.7 APG
Rebounding Leaders: Pau Gasol (LAL): 10.2 RPG
Tyson Chandler (DAL): 9.4 RPG
Key Players
Dallas: C Tyson Chandler
Sure the Hornets gave the Lakers a little more trouble than expected. But did you see what happened in Game 6? Bynum and Gasol shot a combined 14-of-20 form the floor and took complete control down low. Chandler needs to be an intimidating presence for Dallas to keep them active on their low post defense as well as their rebounding game.
Los Angeles: G Kobe Bryant
It's an easy pick but stick with me here...Dallas does not have anyone on their roster that can be considered a stopper. There is no one that Dallas coach Rick Carlisle can put on the floor to effectively defend Kobe Bryant. So if Kobe can continue to overcome his ankle injury, he could average well over 25 points per game in this series.
Key Matchup
Pau Gasol vs. Dirk Nowitzki
There is no doubt that this is indeed the most important matchup of the series. Although both Gasol and Nowitzki are two of the best fowards in the NBA, they each bring about a different approach to the game. So can Pau be able to stretch out his game and guard Dirk around the perimeter? And can Dirk hold his ground and handle Gasol's skilled post game?
Prediction
Game 1: Dallas 89, Los Angeles 101
Game 2: Dallas 102, Los Angeles 106
Game 3: Los Angeles 97, Dallas 87
Game 4: Los Angeles 103, Dallas 109
Game 5: Dallas 94, Los Angeles 112
Los Angeles wins 4-1
Dallas is a legitimate contender but aren't even close to the Lakers. Again, Dallas lacks a defender that can slow down Kobe's game. So if you can't stop Kobe in he playoffs you'll be packing your bags and heading home.
No comments:
Post a Comment