Steve Nash sees all
A day after Boston took game one over Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals on the road, Phoenix comes to Los Angeles to begin play at the Staples Center for the right to advance to the NBA Finals.
Will Steve Nash finally earn a title or will Phil Jackson add to his record-setting number of crowns, presuming either can get past the winner of the Eastern series?
The 36 year-old Nash has demonstrated form recently that is reminiscent of his league MVP days from ‘04 to ‘06. What’s more is that the development of Goran Dragic as his backup in providing some quality minutes, really has been a leading reason why Phoenix has reached this point.
In fact the story of this series could come down to bench play. The reserves on the Suns have provided a major assist to get the squad this far into the playoffs. The Suns bench has average nearly 35 points during the playoffs while the Laker backups have produced just over 23.
Small forward Jared Dudley spells Grant Hill, forward Louis Amundson comes in for rebounding punch, while Channing Frye is the backup center and Leandro Barbosa adds speed at guard.
The Lakers are led off the bench by key sixth man Lamar Odom and his band of fellow reserves Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Shannon Brown, Josh Powell and shooter Sasha Vujacic who is back from an ankle sprain.
Though the Lakers won three of four regular season meetings between the two, only one was played in the new year.
Injuries also will be a factor. While everyone is banged up this time of year, Andrew Bynum is still not 100% coming back from a right knee injury, but if he and Gasol can put in a lot of minutes together and force Amare Stoudemire to be accountable of every defensive possession, that should help Los Angeles offset other matchups like the two wily veterans going at each other at the guard slot, Fisher vs. Nash.
The Lakers edge in the starting lineup should overcome a hot Phoenix bench.
Andrew Bynum gives Los Angeles a matchup advantage
Los Angeles in six.
Western Conference Finals
Monday Suns at Lakers 6pm
Wednesday Suns at Lakers 6pm
Sunday (23rd) Lakers at Suns 5:30pm
Tuesday Lakers at Suns 6pm
Thursday Suns at Lakers 6pm*
Saturday Lakers at Suns 5:30pm*
Monday (31) Suns at Lakers 6pm*
*If Necessary.
All Times Pacific.
