MAGIC: 2008 Playoffs First Round: Matchups

2008 Playoffs First Round: Matchups

By Nick Adams | April 18, 2008

Position by Position Breakdown

STARTERS

Point Guard: Jameer Nelson vs. T.J. Ford

The starting point guard matchup features Jameer Nelson and T.J. Ford, two guys looking to make a name for themselves as legit leaders on a playoff contending team. They are both in their fourth season in the NBA and ready to take their teams past the first round.

Nelson and Ford stand at about the same height, but Nelson is much bulkier - weighing nearly 30 pounds heavier than Ford. Although Nelson has strength advantage, Ford has the upper hand as far as quickness. Both players don't commit many turnovers and distribute the basketball well, averaging over five assists per game. Nelson gives the Magic more of an outside shooting presence converting on over 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, where Ford struggles shooting just 28 percent.

In the playoffs, point guard play is vital to a team's success. The point guard must control the tempo of the game, knock down open jump shots, and distribute the basketball with limited mistakes. Having a point guard with experience and toughness over your opponent can be a major advantage during a pressure-packed seven game series.

This series' starting point guard matchup features two young floor generals with partial playoff experience. Both participated in the playoffs a season ago and went up against two veteran point guards as Nelson faced Detroit's Chauncey Billups, while Ford went head-to-head against then New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd.

In elimination, both Nelson and Ford undoubtedly learned a great deal from their first playoff experience and the point guard who can execute what they have learned will give their team a formidable advantage.

Shooting Guard: Maurice Evans vs. Anthony Parker

Perhaps the most even matchup of the series has Maurice Evans going up against Anthony Parker. The two starting shooting guards have a lot in common...

- Both stand approximately 6'-5" and weigh about 215 pounds.
- Both have bounced around in their four-year NBA careers including stints overseas.
- Both possess great athleticism and can spread the floor with their perimeter shooting.
- Both are shooting approximately 48 percent from the field this season.
- Both bring energy every night at both ends of the floor and play solid perimeter defense.

Despite the similarities, Evans and Parkers' games are somewhat different in the fact that Evans relies more on slashing to the basket whereas Parker is more of an outside shooting threat. However, Evans has been known to knock down a corner three-pointer on a consistent basis and Parker uses his athleticism to make plays at the rim. In short, their primary and secondary strengths equal out creating a closely competitive matchup.

Where they differ is in playoff experience as Evans participates in his fourth consecutive playoff series while Parker plays in just his second. Evans helped the Pistons reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2005-2006 where they lost to eventual NBA Champion Miami Heat. With the matchup between Evans and Parker basically being even, Evans' playoff experience should give the Magic a slight edge.

Small Forward: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Jamario Moon

At small forward, the Magic should have a sizeable advantage as veteran Hedo Turkoglu matches up against Rookie Jamario Moon. Both Turkoglu and Moon have gained notoriety this season. Turkoglu has played at an All-Star level and is in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, while averaging career-highs in points (19.5), rebounds (5.7), and assists (5.0). Moon has surprised many with his abilities during a solid rookie campaign averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Turkoglu is a matchup nightmare for anybody because of his versatility and creativity on offense. With Moon being an average, inexperienced defender, Turkoglu should easily be able to create shots for himself and his teammates. Moon is a player who takes a lot of risks on defense, i.e. going for steals and block shots, so this should allow Turkoglu opportunites to make some plays.

The only area where Turkoglu is at a disadvantage against Moon is in athleticism, and Hedo will have to make a conscious effort to box out and stay in front of Moon. Moon thrives on his athletic abilities to grab offensive rebounds, therefore creating second chance opportunities for his team.

Not only is Turkoglu a better all-around player but he also has a great deal of playoff experience on Moon who makes his playoff debut on Sunday. Turkoglu has played in 47 playoff games with three separate teams (Sacramento Kings 00'-03', San Antonio Spurs 03'-04', Orlando Magic 06'-07') reaching the Western Conference Finals with Sacramento in 2001-2002.

Power Forward: Rashard Lewis vs. Chris Bosh

Easily the most intriguing matchup of the series is the power forward duo between Rashard Lewis and Chris Bosh. Two all-star caliber players square off against each other featuring two different styles of basketball.

Lewis can create his own shot in the post and from the perimeter, but will likely play mostly on the perimeter against the taller Bosh. By forcing a shot blocker such as Bosh to come out and guard him, Lewis should open up the lane for Dwight Howard to post up and players like Maurice Evans to slash to the basket.

Bosh, on the other hand, is a one of the premier post players in the league with an array of moves down on the block. With a size and strength advantage over Lewis, Toronto will look to get Bosh the ball early and often, forcing the Magic to bring double teams therefore leaving other players open. The team that executes each players strengths while exploiting the others weaknesses will benefit greatly.

Lewis has the upper-hand when it comes to playoff experience having played in 16 postseason games with the Seattle SuperSonics, making it as far as the second round in 2004-2005. Bosh participated in his first playoffs last season, losing to the Nets in six games.

With Tony Battie sidelined with a shoulder injury for the entire season, Lewis has had to play out of position assuming the power forward role but has done a formidable job in holding his own when matched up against taller and stronger players. Bosh has destroyed the Magic, so Lewis will need to make Bosh work at the defensive end while containing him on offense in order to give the Magic their best chance of winning.

Center: Dwight Howard vs. Rasho Nesterovic

The battle of the big men has the Magic at an overwhelming advantage as All-Star Dwight Howard squares off against Rasho Nesterovic. Although Nesterovic has plenty of playoff experience in guarding big men, he is no match for the league's most dominate post presence.

Nesterovic is the most seasoned playoff player in this series participating in nine playoff series (5-Minnesota Timberwolves, 3-San Antonio Spurs, 1-Toronto), including 59 total playoff games, and an NBA Championship in 2005 with the Spurs.

Despite his experience, Nesterovic is no match for the more physically gifted and offensively talented Howard. Nesterovic is not a threat on the offensive end and spends most of his time on the block, so Howard should be able to roam the paint and provide defensive help where needed.

Look for the Magic to pound the ball inside early exploiting Howard's mis-match establishing a low post presence. By getting Howard involved early, it will spread the floor creating lanes for penetration and open looks on the perimeter. Besides Nesterovic and Bosh, the Raptors are thin on their front line, so if the Magic can get the Raptors post players in foul trouble early, Howard should be able to dominate.

Bench: Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors

In the playoffs, the X-factor in a seven game series can be a team's bench. Historically, teams with deep, experienced benches go further and have more success come playoff time. A lot can happen in a seven game series...players can get hurt, suspended, fatigued, or get in foul trouble. The more depth you have on your team can sometimes be the determining factor in a hard fought grueling series.

With that being said, both teams have decent benches. The Magic's key reserves, Keyon Dooling, Keith Bogans, and Carlos Arroyo, have all seen time in the starting lineup this season and provide much needed energy and intensity. With the injury of Brian Cook, the Magic's front court is rather thin with Adonal Foyle and Pat Garrity logging most of the minutes. It is vital that Dwight Howard stays out of foul trouble so the thin front line does not become more vulnerable.

Toronto's bench also features reserves who once were starters in point guard Jose Calderon and forward Andrea Bargnani. Calderon has flourished into a superb point guard leading the Raptors in assists. Bargnani is a big body who can spread the floor with his perimeter shooting. Both players play well off of Chris Bosh as Calderon works the pick-and-roll to perfection with Bosh, while Bargnani forces Howard to guard him away from the paint therefore creating space for Bosh to operate down low. Toronto also has sharp shootingJason Kapono coming off the bench with post season experience having won an NBA championship as part of the 2005-2006 Miami Heat.

Overall, Toronto has an advantage with a deeper, more talented bench, but as the Magic bench proved in their 20 point season finale victory over the Washington Wizards, they have some guys who can step up when given the opportunity.

Coaches: Stan Van Gundy vs. Sam Mitchell

The measure of a great coach is closely related to the success they achieve in leading their team throughout the playoffs. Stan Van Gundy and Sam Mitchell have each lead teams to the playoffs on one other occasion, but Van Gundy edges out Mitchell having made it past the first round in his lone appearance.

Van Gundy took a young and undermanned Miami Heat team to the second round of the playoffs in 2004-2005 and has been credited to the success of the 2005-2006 Champion Heat squad. Van Gundy has plenty of playoff experience as an assistant coach with the potent Heat teams of the late 90's.

Sam Mitchell won Coach of the Year honors last season in leading the Raptors to their first playoff appearance in five years. Mitchell has brought a unique style to Toronto and is considered one of the better young coaches in the NBA.

Van Gundy's toughness and experience has led the Magic to a 12 game improvement in their win total from last season. Van Gundy will have his team prepared and focused, and his leadership and "no excuses" attitude will prove to be an advantage for the Magic.