Who has the edge? Tribune Newspapers’ Kyle Hightower breaks down the matchups
Stats from 2009 postseason
Lakers
Derek Fisher (above): 7.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Magic
Rafer Alston: 12.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.5 rpg
SCOUTING REPORT: Alston has really settled into his role as the Magic’s floor leader since arriving in February. Alston has been best when he has looked first to distribute the ball and push the pace and then to score second. Fisher isn’t the same point guard he was when he helped the Lakers win three titles but still is dangerous from both outside and when he gets into the paint. He can pass or take it to the rim.
EDGE: Alston has played well and been more of a scoring threat than Fisher this postseason, but the edge must go to Fisher based on experience.
Lakers
Kobe Bryant (above): 29.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg
Magic
Courtney Lee: 8.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.6 apg
SCOUTING REPORT: Lee is one of the few players the Magic has that can truly create his own shot. He also has added a leaning 18-foot jumper to his repertoire that he sets up off the dribble. Bryant is a threat whenever he is on the court and rocks opponents to sleep with his dribble before pulling up.
EDGE: Bryant gets the edge, but it should be noted that Lee has been drawing tough defensive assignments all season. He has already checked Bryant during the regular season and won’t be scared after being opposite LeBron James, Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade at times.
Lakers
Trevor Ariza: 11.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg
Magic
Hedo Turkoglu (above): 15.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.5 apg
SCOUTING REPORT: In a matchup of former Magic teammates, Turkoglu, whose 4.9 assists per game led the Magic during the regular season, has regained his late-game form during the Magic’s playoff run. Ariza has had his moments this season and led the Lakers with 1.7 steals per game during the regular season, but is probably overmatched against Turkoglu.
EDGE: Turkoglu gets the nod and probably has the best chance between the Magic’s forwards to get good looks consistently during the series unless the Lakers double-team him.
Lakers
Pau Gasol: 18.2 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Magic
Rashard Lewis (above): 19.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg
SCOUTING REPORT: It might be the most intriguing matchup of the series — outside of who defends Howard and Bryant. Lewis has been deadly beyond the arc in the first three rounds. But Gasol’s long frame allows him to be just as tough when he turns his back to the basket.
EDGE: Both players will have their nights, but Lewis gets the edge based on the highs he had against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals. Plus, Lewis has been slashing to the basket a lot during the postseason, which has gotten defenders in foul trouble.
Lakers
Andrew Bynum: 6.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Magic
Dwight Howard (above): 21.7 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 2.2 bpg
SCOUTING REPORT: Lakers coach Phil Jackson has said he’s not against defending Howard one-on-one, which is something nobody has done successfully during the postseason. But even if Bynum can’t lean on regular double-teams, he does have the girth to push Howard around a bit more than anybody Howard has been opposite so far.
EDGE: Bynum might have a better chance if he wasn’t coming back from a knee injury, but expect this one to be all Howard. Bynum might have more energy than Zydrunas Ilgauskas had but still only has six fouls to give.
Sixth man
KEY STATS
Lakers: Lamar Odom: 12.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg.
Magic: Mickael Pietrus 10.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg
SCOUTING REPORT: Pietrus has emerged as a real weapon off the bench during the postseason. He was originally brought to Orlando for his defense but has provided his spark during the fi rst three rounds on the offensive end with big shots from the outside. Odom’s best traits are a good midrange shot and willingness to help out on the boards.
EDGE: Pietrus has played well recently, but Odom has a way of showing up when the Lakers need him. He finished the Denver series strong and seems to be in a groove. He gets a slim nod.
Other reserves
KEY STATS
Lakers: Shannon Brown 5.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg; Jordan Farmar 5.1 ppg, 2.1 ppg; Luke Walton 3.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
Magic: Marcin Gortat 3.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg; Anthony Johnson 4.3 ppg, 2.1 apg
SCOUTING REPORT: For the Magic, Gortat will be called on if Howard finds foul trouble. He’s no Superman. The Polish Hammer has raised eyebrows at times, though, with his ability to rebound and keep the Magic from losing ground without Howard in the game. Gortat also won’t be scared to challenge Bryant if he makes it into the paint with Howard in the middle, having already gained confi dence from swatting LeBron. Anthony Johnson also hasn’t been nervous in his action playing behind Alston and can score when necessary. For the Lakers, Brown, Farmar and Walton are all capable of providing headaches and can provide late-game daggers if unchecked.
EDGE: The Lakers go deeper in their rotation, so they get the edge.
