NBA Finals Preview

The NBA finals are upon us and the finals will be a rematch of the finals 2 years ago between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. 2 years ago the Celtics won an easy victory but things looked very different this time. Here’s a look at the match-ups in the finals and who has the edge for them;

Forwards: The Lakers have Pau Gasol and Ron Artest but the Celtics have Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The Celtics should have the advantage here as they did 2 years ago. Back then, the Lakers were unable to stop Garnett especially on the boards and frankly I don’t see it being any different this time. The only question is whether Artest, one of the NBA’s best defender, can stop Paul Pierce. If he can, then the Lakers would be more than happy to leave it at that.
Advantage: Celtics.

Center: Normally I would go for Andrew Bynum (Lakers) over Kendrick Perkins (Celtics) in this match-up but Bynum has been plagued by knee problems throughout the playoffs, while Perkins held his own against Dwight Howard, arguably the NBA’s best centre.
Advantage: Celtics.

Guards: No contest here. The Celtics may have Ray Allen (a future Hall of Fame player) and Rajon Rondo (one of the best players in this postseason), but the Lakers have Kobe Bryant! Bryant averaged 33.7 points against the Suns and has been scoring 30 points for fun throughout the postseason. Also the Lakers have a tough defender in Derek Fisher who is capable of slowing and posting up Rondo.
Advantage: Lakers

Reserver: Neither benches are really that important to both teams but there are a few important role players in each team. The most important is without question Lamar Odom of the Lakers. He is a man who is capable of doing a little bit of everything and also everything goes through him when the second unit is on the floor. A lot also depends on the health of Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace of the Celtics. Both were hurt in the series against the Magic and both are important role players.
Advantage: Lakers.

Coaches: Phil Jackson of the Lakers has won 10 championships and is going for his 11th. Doc Rivers won one with the Celtics two years ago. On paper, this should be no contest but Rivers has been impressive in the postseason, carefully guiding his team through a few tough series while the Lakers made hard work of Suns.
Advantage: Lakers.

Expected Outcome: Lakers in 6.