Bryant Vs Howard
We are now at the final series of the NBA playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers to tip off against the Orlando Magic this Thursday night with two of the season’s best teams to battle it out. At the tip of everybody’s tongue is the biggest matchup of the two key players, Kobe Bryant taking on Dwight Howard.
Although both players play in different positions, it is their individual performances that will help determine the outcome of this series. The Lakers are backing up for their second year in the final series, where as Orlando managed to upset the LeBron James and the Cavaliers. With this in mind, the Lakers are the favourites going into the series.
The key to the magic’s offense is obviously Dwight Howard, and a strong perimeter offense. If the Lakers put too much of their team on Howard, they will shift the ball to perimeter and score from there. For the Lakers, their key offensive weapon is obviously Kobe Bryant, and if the Magic happens to double team him, then they will shift the ball along the perimeter to the veteran point guard Derek Fisher.
This series also promises a lot from the bench. The Lakers have been served well by Lamar Odom who produces good results in scoring, rebounds and defence. For the Magic bench, they have look to Mickael Pietrus who has served very well with scoring three pointers.
It is tough to pick which team will take the series. Experience is a key factor here since the Lakers have been at this stage before, and the Magic might still be on a high after containing Lebron James and his crew. The key here is how well the Magic players handle the situation, if they can rise to the occasion, then an upset is on the cards, otherwise the Lakers will be able to outplay them.
