Lakers vs Celtics: The Matchups

The glaring mismatch in terms of positions is the pairing of Vladimir Radmanovic and Kevin Garnett. The advantage is definitely in the Celtics favor, if indeed this is the pairing. By position, this is how the possible starters match up:

• Point Guard: Fisher and Rondo
• Shooting Guard: Bryant and Allen
• Small Forward: Odom and Pierce
• Power Forward: Radmanovic and Garnett
• Center: Gasol and Perkins

Vladimir Radmanovic will need help guarding Kevin Garnett. The Celtics will be counting on Kevin Garnett for offensive production and Vladimir Radmanovic’s defense has been suspect at times. On the other hand, if Kevin Garnett is guarding Vladimir Radmanovic, then that will mean play away from the basket. Vladimir Radmanovic will be looking for his shots near or beyond the three point line. This will pull Kevin Garnett away from the basket and may decrease his rebounding presence.

A possibility is to switch Pau Gasol on Kevin Garnett and Vladimir Radmanovic on Kendrick Perkins. This would make a huge defensive workload for Pau Gasol and may decrease his offensive production. Without doubt, how to contain Kevin Garnett must be high on the Lakers list of priorities. For the Celtics, the production from Kevin Garnett’s power forward position may lead to a championship.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
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