It's THE FINALS... dun dun dun.....

Ok, maybe not so dramatic as people expected. Lakers were definitely the safe pick coming out of the West, but I had definitely been backing the Magic this whole time. I'm glad that they could make it. I'm sure it's not much of a secret that I don't like the Lakers very much. Sure they're a great team on paper, Kobe's probably the best player currently in terms of basketball ability (LeBron is awesome, but I would still currently give it to Kobe), they have a solid bench, likeable guys (except maybe Vujacic). So before Lakers fans start getting all indignant and self-righteous about how I should give the Lakers more props, let me quickly say, that that is exactly the reason I don't like the Lakers (that is, Lakers fans getting all indignant and self-righteous because I don't think Lakers are undefeatable). I'll admit as much as the next guy that Lakers should win it all, they certainly have the talent to do so, so I'll be as much on the bandwagon as anyone else in saying that it's all a mind game.

I thought the Finals were like the Playoffs in that the series would be 2-2-1-1-1, but I was wrong, and it in actuality is 2-3-2, which changes my prediction a little. For some reason, given that it's 2-3-2, I have a hard time seeing this go to 7 games, though it is possible, but only if both teams win all their home games in the first 5. If this year's Playoffs have taught us anything, it's that you can't really bank on anything that should happen. Manu Ginobili and Kevin Garnett should have been healthy, LeBron should have been defeating the Celtics in the Conference Finals because Mo Williams should have made the difference for the Cavs, Lakers should have swept all competition out the door easily because the Rockets should have folded when they discovered Yao Ming's foot fracture instead of taking the Lakers to 7 games.

Ok, we're past all that now, so lets get down to what is going to make or break this series for either team: the matchups. While regular seasons don't mean everything when it comes to a seven-game series, you can't blatantly disregard them either, John Hollinger did that, and he picked Cleveland to win in 5. Matchup wise, it's rather swung in the Lakers' favor currently, as the this is the major matchup in which the loss of Jameer Nelson will seriously hurt the Magic. From a position reference, the only clear cut advantage any team can really get on the Lakers, on paper or otherwise, is at the point guard position, and Jameer Nelson is just the type of guard that would give the Lakers fits. He was crucial to the Magic's two victories over the Lakers both at home and at Staples, Nelson is basically Aaron Brooks at an All-Star level. So the question(s) end up being: is Derek Fisher bad enough to make Rafer Alston look that good? (and the answer is likely no) so therefore, who can replicate Nelson's production? All eyes should naturally turn to Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus will definitely have their hands full trying to guard Kobe, and the matchups between Odom and Ariza on Lewis and Turkoglu are pretty comparable. Should Bynum be used in limited minutes, Gasol could really stretch the Magic defense by pulling Howard out of the paint. For the Lakers it's all about staying focused on offense, getting Howard out of the paint, and hitting the subsequent cutters from the high post. While I would argue that outside of Howard, Alston, Lee, Pietrus, Turkoglu, and Lewis are all long and above-average man defenders, the Lakers just have too many weapons. On defense, Lakers have to keep Dwight Howard off the glass, while Lewis isn't a great rebounder for his height, they still can't afford to let him have a good rebounding game either.

Magic I think will go back to their newfound strategy of running a Dwight Howard/Hedo Turkoglu high screen and roll with Lewis, Alston, and Lee/Pietrus spotting up from the 3pt mark. Howard really needs to dominate the glass, especially on the offensive end. I know it sounds stupid and cliche to say this, but basically, the Magic need to hit their open threes. I'm sure several Magic fans, and probably a lot of Rockets fans will cringe at this as well, I think at least 1 game will be decided by the play of Rafer Alston, he's going to have to be big, as that is the only position that Magic can really exploit. Specifically, it's "whatever guy Derek Fisher has to guard".

While the change in the schedule has sort of thrown me in for a loop, I'm going to call it this way, the way I originally called it...

Magic in 6, otherwise Lakers in 7.

Actually you know what? I'm feeling gutsy again...

Magic in 5 on sheer momentum based on the fact that they have 3 home games in a row.

As we've seen though in this year's Playoffs, it could swing either way.

Let's get to it.