Call me crazy but I think the Magic pull this off and the only reason why the Lakers may have an advantage is because of home court.
The biggest reason the Magic will win is because of Howard. The only person who has a chance holding up in the post against him is Bynum. However playing Bynum means that you sit Gasol because if you play both, who will guard Rashard or Hedo on the perimeter? The Lakers will not sit Gasol which means look for Dwight to get his points. The key for the Lakers has always been Gasol and not Kobe. Sounds strange but true. Kobe will get his points.
The Lakers were average at best prior to Gasol and only became a championship contender when they got him. As Gasol goes, so do the Lakers. Gasol needs to be tough against Howard but that's not his forte. Doing so will get him in foul trouble. Double him and the Magic make you pay with threes.This is a terrible matchup for the Lakers. The way to beat the Magic is to have a guy, like the C's, who can defend him one on one so the other guys can stick with the 3pt shooters. Dwight will absolutely destroy Gasol if defended one on one.
Everyone will talk about how the Lakers have Kobe but like the Celtics last year, Lebron has prepped the Magic against Kobe. They have the blueprint to play against a dominant wing player going against Pierce then Lebron. Lebron averaged 40 a game and still the Cavs lost in 6. Kobe may indeed go for 50 a game but that's playing right into the Magic's hand. Howard will make Kobe more of a jump shooter rather than a penetrator and again this is playing into the Magic's hand. missed jumpshots will lead to the early offense opportunities the Magic crave.
The Magic are a team that will not lay down and they are also the physical type of team that the Lakers have trouble with. I actually think the Magic will have an easier time against the Lakers then the C's or the Cavs. Prediction Magic in 6.
