Playoff Preview: (1) Lakers v. (3) Spurs

Playoff Preview: Lakers Semis

After the LA Lakers swept the Denver Nuggets 4-0, it seemed that the well-rested Kobe-Bryant Pau Gasol tandem proved to be too much for the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semi Finals. Just as expected, the Los Angeles Lakers-Utah Jazz series was a high-scoring affair, with both teams playing physical, run-and-gun style of play – 98 points was the lowest point total and that was on the losing end for the Jazz. The LA Lakers also picked up a road win inside Energy Solutions Arena, where the Utah Jazz have only dropped a handful of losses in the 2008 regular season and postseason. Although Deron Williams truly shined in the series, the Los Angeles Lakers depth and size dominated the round. With the MVP Kobe Bryant tweaking his back late in the series, it should help that the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed a bit of a respite while the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets duked it out in a seven-game set.

Playoff Preview: Spurs Semis

After a physical series against perennial foe Phoenix Suns, the San Antonio Spurs traveled East to face the New Orleans Hornets. The San Antonio Spurs dropped their first two games to the young New Orleans Hornets but rallied to tie up and eventually win the playoff series. The San Antonio Spurs played their trademark grind-it-out style of basketball and – while most of it wasn’t exactly pretty – prevailed once again thanks to their stifling defense, clutch shots, and veteran experience. No doubt that the seven game series against one of the quickest teams in the league took a physical toll on the San Antonio Spurs, but the Spurs proved that they would keep on fighting, even after three blowout losses in the playoff series and even after falling to 2-0 and 3-2 deficits. After playing such a young, explosive team in the New Orleans Hornets, the true test comes against a young, explosive, AND well-rested team in the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Playoff Preview: Lakers Lineup

Throughout 10 games in the 2007-2008 NBA Playoffs:

• Point Guard: Derek Fisher (11.9 PPG, 2.7 SPG, 2.7 AST)


• Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (33.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 6.8 AST)


• Power Forward/Center: Pau Gasol (20.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.9 BLK)


• Power Forward: Lamar Odom (15.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.4 BLK)


• Power Forward: Vladimir Radmanovic (8.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.7 AST)

It’s easy to see why Kobe Bryant snagged NBA MVP honors – he’s able to create his own shots, score from just about anywhere, and post ridiculous numbers, making him quite possibly the toughest player in the league to guard. With so much defensive focus on Kobe Bryant, teammates like Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will find themselves open for easy baskets. With Kobe on the bench or out with injury, the LA Lakers can count on a flurry of players to take on the scoring load, which leads to a well-balanced offense. The Los Angeles Lakers bench boasts athleticism, scoring, good defense, and a spark of energy to boot.

Playoff Preview: Spurs Lineup

Throughout 12 games in the 2007-2008 NBA Playoffs:

• Point Guard: Tony Parker (23.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.3 AST)


• Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobili (20.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.3 AST)


• Small Forward: Bruce Bowen (5.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.5 AST)


• Power Forward: Fabricio Oberto (3.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 AST)


• Center: Tim Duncan (19.3 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 2.08 BLK)

As one of the most formidable backcourt tandems in the NBA, Manu Ginobili led the San Antonio Spurs in scoring throughout the regular season, Tony Parker leads the San Antonio Spurs in scoring throughout the playoffs, calling upon the Big Fundamental Tim Duncan (averaging just over 19 PPG) as the third scoring option. Bruce Bowen spearheads the San Antonio Spurs smothering defense, while the bench play of Robert Horry, Michael Finley, and Kurt Thomas – to name a few – provide plenty of production and veteran savvy to boot.

Playoff Preview: Head to Head

Since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers have met six times in the playoffs. These two teams have ruled the decade with seven championships between them (the Lakers from 2000-02 and the Spurs in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007). The San Antonio Spurs have stuck to their winning formula of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili for the past six seasons, while the young, revamped Los Angeles Lakers are without Shaquille O’Neal but still with a better-than-ever Kobe Bryant and new running mates Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. In the regular season series between the Lakers and Spurs, the home team won their match ups.



With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili coming into their own over the past few years, Tim Duncan has not been the main scoring option in the Spurs’ offense. Look for the Los Angeles Lakers defense to focus on the quick, slashing Tony Parker, who is sure to give the Lakers fits, causing the Lakers defense to collapse in an attempt to keep Tony Parker out of the driving lane. Expect the San Antonio Spurs’ defensive guru Bruce Bowen to guard Kobe Bryant, who is the explosive thorn in the San Antonio Spurs’ side. The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their series in six games and enjoyed a bit of a rest, which may prove to be advantageous in the Western Conference Finals.  



Playoff Preview: Schedule

The trend in the NBA playoffs has been that it’s been tough to steal a game on the road, proving that the team with home court advantage truly does have an advantage. However, both the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs have both snagged a couple of games on the road to win their series. The top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers will open up their best-of-seven series at home inside the Staples Center.