Lakers vs. Jazz

The Lakers and Jazz couldn't have closed out their respective first round series in a more dichotomous way. While the Lakers secured a series-clinching victory with a last-second tip-in by Pau Gasol (off a Kobe Bryant isolation miss), the Jazz had the clock run out on a nearly double-digit lead while Deron Williams injured his elbow (although it looked like his wrist) on a screen by The Birdman.

While the Lakers are rolling into Game 1 at Staples on a high, the Jazz just hope Deron Williams can play (he is apparently a game-time decision). Luckily for the Jazz, this is not the NFL. It's a long, seven game series (with a notable 3-day break between Games 2 and 3).

This series comes down to whether any wing player on the Jazz is able to defend Kobe Bryant (doubtful), whether Deron Williams can be stopped or even slowed by anyone on the Lakers (doubtful/questionable), and whether the Jazz front line can hold serve against the Lakers' front line (questionable).

The Jazz have the advantage at PG (D-Will over Fish).

The Lakers have the advantage at SG (Kobe over Wes Matthews) and C (Bynum over Fesenko).

SF (Artest/CJ Miles), PF (Gasol/Boozer), Bench (Millsap, Price, Korver, Kirilenko/Odom, Farmar, Brown, Walton) and Coaching (Phil and Jerry) are a wash.

This series will be similar to the Lakers' first round series against the Thunder, with the major difference being that the Jazz do not have a premiere wing player for Artest to guard. I would not be surprised to see Artest guard D-Will for extended periods of time, if he proves that he won't get beat off the dribble. We all know Fisher has no chance, and Kobe might not be up to the challenge for a full 7 games.

I would also expect to see a lot more Kobe scoring in this series. The Jazz literally have no one who can stop him, so he's going to be taking a lot of shots, getting to the line a ton, and putting up some gaudy numbers. The Jazz front line is also deeper and more physical than the Thunder front line, so Pau and Bynum will not have the same advantage as they did against OKC.

Utah is a tough place to play and a very good team, but I don't see them getting past the Lakers.

Lakers in 6.