Season series: The teams split two games, each winning at home. The Lakers won 101-92 on March 5, while the Nets captured a 94-92 decision on April 3.
(Matchup statistics are for the playoffs)
THE NUMBER -- 3 -- Kidd's triple doubles in the Eastern finals
POINT GUARD: Nets' Jason Kidd vs. Lakers' Derek Fisher: Kidd (19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 8.4 rebounds) has been simply transcendent in the playoffs, averaging a triple double in the conference finals, something that has only happened twice in league history. He's not a particularly good shooter, but he controls an offense as well as any player in the league. Typically a clutch postseason shooter, Fisher (9.5 points) has been spotty so far in the Los Angeles playoff run, hitting just four of 14 shots in the Lakers' Game 7 win over Sacramento.
Edge: A big one to New Jersey.
THE NUMBER -- 6 -- Bryant's 30-point games in the playoffs
SHOOTING GUARD
Nets' Kerry Kittles vs. Lakers' Kobe Bryant: Kittles (11.9 points) was inconsistent in the early rounds for the Nets, but shot well in the series win over Boston. His ability to make Bryant work defensively is the key to New Jersey's hopes. Bryant (26.6 points) played a game-high 53 minutes with 30 points Sunday night, and is the fulcrum of the Lakers' attack. If he goes wild early on, the Nets will get swept.
Edge: A big one to Los Angeles.
THE NUMBER -- .444 -- Van Horn's three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs
SMALL FORWARD
Nets' Keith Van Horn vs. Lakers' Rick Fox: Van Horn (14.0 points, .406 field-goal percentage) is the streakiest of the Nets, capable of going invisible for extended stretches or hitting the game-clinching three, as he did in Game 6 against the Celtics. Fox's numbers (9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds) have been off this season, but he is one of the league's most underrated on-the-ball defenders, and is usually good for big late three-pointers.
Edge: A slight one to the Lakers, because of Fox's defense and experience.
THE NUMBER -- 3 -- How many times Martin has fouled out in 16 playoff games this year
POWER FORWARD
Nets' Kenyon Martin vs. Lakers' Robert Horry: Martin has been huge for New Jersey in the postseason, raising his scoring and rebounding numbers (15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds) slightly and playing great defense on players as different as Boston's Paul Pierce and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. More importantly, Martin, who was suspended for seven games this season for overly aggressive play, hasn't been called for a flagrant foul since March 15. Robert Horry has come through with several big three-point shots for the Lakers. He is playing 36.3 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Edge: A slight one to the Nets.
THE NUMBER -- .643 -- O'Neal's free-throw percentage during the playoffs
CENTER
Nets' Todd MacCulloch vs. Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal: MacCulloch is the only Net with championship series experience, as a backup to Philadelphia's Dikembe Mutombo in last year's finals. He's had some big moments in the postseason, including a 14-point performance in Game 1 against Boston. O'Neal (26.4 points, 12.7 rebounds) has labored through a variety of ailments, and though his numbers are off from last year's playoffs, he was dominant in Games 6 and 7 against Sacramento. And he made 24 of 32 free throws in the two games.
Edge: A big one to the Lakers.
THE NUMBER -- 9.1 -- Lucious Harris' playoff scoring average, better than the Lakers' top two bench scorers combined
BENCH
New Jersey's Richard Jefferson, Lucious Harris and Aaron Williams are quality backups and have given the Nets solid minutes in the postseason. Center Jason Collins didn't play much in the Boston series, but should see more time against O'Neal. Los Angeles has more experience here, with Brian Shaw and Stanislav Medvedenko getting out of the deep freeze in the Sacramento series. Devean George is a decent frontcourt defender. Samaki Walker, a former starter at forward, has distinguished himself in the postseason by talking trash.
Edge: A solid one to New Jersey.
THE NUMBER -- .735 -- Jackson's playoff winning percentage
COACH
Nets' Byron Scott vs. Lakers' Phil Jackson: Scott has masterminded one of the NBA's most startling turnarounds in years, getting the Nets out of the doldrums by installing a constant fast-break offense that gets the most out of Kidd's talents. And as the shooting guard for three titles in the "Showtime" years, he knows the Lakers' mystique as well as anyone. Jackson has cajoled, prodded and pushed the right buttons to get the Lakers in position for a third straight title, and his ninth overall, which would tie Boston's Red Auerbach for most by any NBA coach.
Edge: A slight one to Los Angeles.
INTANGIBLES
The Nets, who are the first team since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 to reach the finals after missing the playoffs the year before, have been resourceful to date, getting to the title round for the first time and in their first try. The Lakers, meanwhile, know this route all too well, and having survived their toughest challenge in the past three years, could be peaking at the right time.
Edge: A slight one to Los Angeles.
PREDICTION: LAKERS IN 5
The Nets have proven that they are no fluke. They were the best team in the Eastern Conference and should acquit themselves well in the series, if for no other reason than Kidd is on a mission. If he can keep things moving, the Nets have a chance to force the series to six games. More likely, the Lakers will be able to neutralize Kidd at key moments and the Nets have no answer for O'Neal or Bryant.