Mavericks at Lakers
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to take another step toward a third straight NBA title when they host the Dallas Mavericks in Monday’s opening contest of the Western Conference semifinals. Second-seeded Los Angeles defeated the New Orleans Hornets in six games during the first round and now takes aim at the third-seeded Mavericks, who have advanced to the second round for just the second time since losing in the 2006 NBA Finals. Dallas notched a six-game series victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
TV: 10:30 p.m. TNT, ABC
ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles completed its first-round series with New Orleans on Thursday, giving guard Kobe Bryant a little time to rest his ailing left ankle. Bryant is downplaying the injury, but coach Phil Jackson said it is hindering Bryant and won’t go away anytime soon. Bryant averaged 22.5 points in the series against New Orleans and averaged 21.7 points in three games versus Dallas this season. Center Andrew Bynum is playing outstanding basketball. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.3 rebounds and had four double-doubles against New Orleans. Bynum fared well against Dallas this season, shooting 70.4 percent from the field while averaging 16.7 points and 11.7 rebounds. Forward Pau Gasol had a relatively quiet series – he averaged 13.5 points – against the Hornets. Forward Lamar Odom provides big-time production off the bench.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Dallas wrapped up the series against Portland with a road victory on Thursday. It was a crucial breakthrough for the Mavericks as the triumph was just the third in the franchise’s last 21 postseason road games. Forward Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 or more points in all six games against Portland and averaged 27.3 points in the series. Nowitzki averaged 22 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games against Los Angeles this season. Guard Jason Terry averaged 17.3 points against Portland with three 20-point outings and is one of the top sixth men in the NBA. A key player in this series will be center Tyson Chandler, who had a 20-rebound effort in Game 5 against Portland but often disappears in games. Point guard Jason Kidd and forward Shawn Marion are battled-tested playoff veterans. Guard Caron Butler (knee) is unlikely to return to action in the series. He hasn’t played since being injured on Jan. 1.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Terry averaged 21 points over the last two games of the Portland series. Bynum averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds in the final two games of the New Orleans series.
KEY STATISTIC: Both teams played solid defense during their first-round series victories. Dallas held Portland to 88.2 points per game and Los Angeles limited New Orleans to 89.3.
SEASON SERIES: The Lakers won two of the three games, including a 110-82 victory on March 31 in the only game played in Los Angeles. The teams split in Dallas with the Mavericks winning 109-100 on Jan. 19 and the Lakers prevailing 96-91 on March 12.
LAST WORD: “We’re going to have to play a perfect game to beat them. I hope we’re up for that challenge.” – Dallas point guard Jason Kidd on the series against the Lakers.